Not sure where this should go - I got an alligator, now how do I smoke it?
I just ordered a frozen 19-24 lb whole alligator. Planning on cooking it in early May.... any suggestions on where I can find a good recipe? I tend to buy first, figure what to do with it second
Grill/Smoke/Roast = SnS Grills Kettle + SnS Deluxe Insert & Drip n' Griddle
Grill/Smoke/Roast = Hasty-Bake Gourmet Dual Finish with HB rotisserie and Grill Grates
Smoke = Weber Smokey Mountain 22.5"
Pizza = Blackstone Propane Pizza Oven (Stacy's, but she let's me use it sometimes)
Indoor Cooking = LG Studio 30" gas range
Camp Cooking = Coleman 2 burner white gas stove
Thermometer = FireBoard FBX2 with 2 ambient and 6 meat probes
Thermapen Mk IV = Light blue
Thermapen Mk IV = Black
PID Controller = Fireboard Drive + Auber 20 CFM Fan (FB gen 1 fan)
PID Controller = Fireboard Drive + Fireboard 20 CFM Fan (FB gen 2 fan)
Knives
Wusthof Classic Ikon set: 9" carving knive, 2X 8" Chef's Knife, 7" Santoku and three utility knives
Kamikoto Kuro set: 7" Santoku, 6.5" Nakiri, 5" Utility
Amazing Ribs Brazilian Steak knife set
Favorite wine = whatever is currently in the wine rack
Favorite beer = Sam Adams Boston Lager or Shiner Bock
Favorite whisky = Lagavulin Distiller's Edition 16 year old single malt
Best Cookbooks - Meathead's "The Science of Great Barbecue and Grilling", Chris Lilly's "Big Bob Gibson's BBQ Book", Aaron Franklin's "Franklin BBQ"
Cookbooks to check out - Raichlen's "Brisket Chronicles" and anything by Adam Perry Lang.
Current fanboy cookbook - "Chasing Smoke: Cooking Over Fire Around the Levant"
Here's a article I read and bookmarked for some reason on smoking a whole gator. Not sure why since I don't expect to ever do this. but might help you as a starting point
I of course love smoked meats of all kinds, but also like quick cooks like chicken portions, pork tenderloins, steak and fish. Really into cooking of all kinds.
My outdoor kitchen has a Lone Star Grillz Adjustable and it is wonderful. There also is a Pit Boss 5 Burner Ultimate Griddle and a Pit Boss Copperhead pellet grill.
There is an outdoor fire pit that has grilling capability and limited Santa Maria-style grill raising and lowering.
Smokin-It 3D
Weber Kettle with an SNS
Masterbuilt kettle that I call the $30 wonder grill
Bullet by Bull Grills gasser
Anova WiFi sous vide machine
Thermoworks Thermapen and Chef Alarm
Now Amos Moses was a Cajun
He lived by himself in the swamp
He hunted alligator for living
He'd just knock them in the head with a stump
And just use one hand
That's all he got left cause an alligator bit it
Left arm gone clean up to the elbow
The sheriff caught wind that Amos
Was in the swamp trappin' alligator skins
So he snuck in the swamp gonna get the boy
But he never come out again
Well I wonder where the Louisiana sheriff went to
Well you can sure get lost in the Louisiana bayou
The tail should be treated like chicken/pork loin or it will turn into rubber. The jowl (gator cheeks) are better than the tail and are best treated like scallopini. The best part of the gator is the ribs. But that gator is to small to have any meat on the ribs.
Weber Silver A (fixer upper project, currently sitting dead in my garage)
KBQ C-60
Accessories
Fireboard 2
Weber iGrill Mini
Weber Instant Read
Random Digital Instant Read from the Grocery Store (in a pinch)
Weber Charcoal Chimney
Slick University of Michigan apron w/built in bottle opener
Beverages
Favorite beer(s): Bell's Oberon, Founders All Day I{A, Corona Extra, Heineken, Guinness
Red Wine: Anything dry and under $15 per bottle
Whiskey: Makers Mark French Oak, Buffalo Trace.. anything purchased by other people and shared
About MeReal name: Jesse
Location: Grand Rapids, Michigan
Favorite Football Team: Michigan Wolverines (NCAA) and the Detroit Lions (primary NFL) / Baltimore Ravens (secondary NFL, after the Lions are statistically eliminated from the playoffs... usually by Thanksgiving)
I had to stare at the picture for a bit to figure out what was going on. I like that they tell you how to re-attach the head in the event it becomes detached during shipment. I've purchased turducken from Cajun Grocer. It was well packed with no signs of defrosting when it arrived. I do have to say it was November, however. Their seasoning packets for jambalaya and red beans and rice are also quite good.
How about Gator nuggets and cheese Fondue?
Gator chowder, Gator and Chips (aka fish and chips)
Talking about missed opportunities when in Florida.
I Know they will pair well with PBR. Oh, that reminds me, PBR battered gator.
Comment