Add some Florida “Bite” to your Memorial Day Celebration
| May 24, 2012 | Posted by Mindy under Cooking, Recipes, Seafood |
Looking for a way to add some “Bite” to your Memorial Day celebrations? Why not surprise your family and friends with some Fresh Florida Alligator! Alligator meat has a fine, light-grained texture that is comparable to pork and chicken. You can fry it, grill it, smother it or stuff it! Alligator meat is sold frozen or fresh as bone-in or deboned. Handle gator meat as you would any meat product which means thaw in the refrigerator and use promptly. Can’t find alligator meat at your local fish market? Check out our website where you can search for the closest retail market that sells alligator meat – or order it from a Fresh from Florida online retailer that will ship it to your door! Looking for the perfect recipe your guests can sink their teeth into? How about good ole Fried Gator … or Grilled Gator Kabobs – your guests won’t be disappointed!
Fried Gator
- ¾ Cup all-purpose flour
- 3 tsp cornstarch
- 2 Tbs garlic powder
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 ¼ cups cold water
- 2 Tbs coarse ground black pepper
- 2/3 cup cornmeal
- 2 green onions (chopped)
- 2 Pounds Florida Alligator cut into strips
- Vegetable oil for frying
Combine flour, cornstarch, garlic powder and salt – slowly add water and mix well (set aside). Combine cornmeal, onions and pepper in a bowl or plate. Mix well and set aside. Dip meat in flour mixture, let excess drain off – coat with cornmeal mixture and deep-fry in hot oil at 375 degrees for 3-4 minutes. Drain on paper towel.
Grilled Gator Kabobs
- ½ cup Florida orange juice concentrate
- ¼ cup Florida orange juice
- 2 Tbs light soy sauce
- 2 tsp brown sugar
- 1 tsp cumin
- ¼ tsp cayenne
- 1 pound of Florida Alligator Meat cut into cubes
- Cubed assorted vegetables
For the marinade: combine orange concentrate, orange juice, soy sauce, sugar and spices in a medium bowl. Reserve ½ for basting. Add alligator cubes, stir and coat well. Marinate for at least 15 minutes and up to 2 hours in the refrigerator to increase flavor. Soak wooden skewers in water for 10 minutes to prevent burning. Thread marinated alligator cubes onto skewer, alternating with vegetables. Heat grill to high heat and grill kabobs for 6-8 minutes, turning once. Brush with extra marinade for the first 5 minutes.
For retailers or online suppliers – http://app1.florida-agriculture.com/FACTS/Consumer/general/
For more Alligator recipes – http://www.fl-seafood.com/recipes/alligator_recipes.htm
