Fried Alligator Bites

Are you feeling a little adventurous?  Did you know the Butcher Shop offers a variety of “exotic” meat selections in addition to locally raised beef, chicken, lamb, and other traditional favorites?  If you’d like to try something new and different for your family dinner, stop by The Butcher Shop to see what we have available.  For example, alligator is a common entree in the South but not well-known in the Pacific Northwest.  Surprise your guests with this easy-to-prepare recipe for fried alligator bites.

What does alligator taste like?

That’s a popular question, and many people will say “chicken.”  But alligator has been a delicacy in some parts of the United States for over a century.  As far back as the 1800s, alligator has been used in many dinner recipes such as gumbo.  The meat stands up well in soups and certain dishes because it has a dense consistency that doesn’t break down quickly.  The taste is mild, much like quail but with a slightly fishy flavor.  Marinating the meat is essential to keep it from being too tough and chewy.

Ingredients for fried alligator bites:

• 2 pounds of TBS boneless alligator meat, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 3 cups evaporated milk
• 1 cup yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons Tony’s Creole seasoning
• 2 cups fry mix
• 2 cups pancake mix
• Cooking oil and deep frying pan or dutch oven

Directions:

1.  Soak the cut alligator pieces in the evaporated milk for 3 hours in the refrigerator.
2.  Drain the milk and keep the meat in the bowl.  Cover the meat with Creole seasoning.
3.  Add the mustard and stir to cover all the pieces well.
4.  Put the fry mix and pancake mix together in a large bowl and stir well.  
5.  Drop the pieces of meat into the dry ingredients and mix them around to coat all the pieces thoroughly.  
6.  Heat the oil in a deep frying pan or dutch oven to 375 F.  
7.  Carefully drop in the pieces of meat and fry for 5 to 6 minutes until golden brown.  Keep pieces to a single layer in the oil, so fry in multiple batches as necessary.
8.  Serve immediately with seafood sauce or other favorite dipping sauce.

Try something new at The Butcher Shop!

The Butcher Shop is your local destination for locally raised meats and fresh produce, but we also have much more.  Explore new recipes with selections from our exotic meats menu.  Give us a call or stop by to see what we have in stock or place an order for something specific.  Some of the selections we carry include kangaroo, wild boar, elk, alligator, and more.