Fry

Fried Alligator with Everything Middle-Eastern Seasoning

January 11, 2012
0
0 Ratings
  • Serves 4
Author Notes

Raw alligator meat has a very strong, distinctive smell - not a gamey smell, but more like a swamp-ish, river-ish smell. I panicked and used all of the Middle Eastern spices I had within reach, and luckily the result was not only free of bad smell but also aromatic and delicious! Or maybe the smell just goes away when you cook the meat? I listed this under "chicken and poultry" since the texture and taste are closest to that of chicken, and you can easily substitute chicken for alligator meat. I served it with a refreshing arugular and tomato salad, it was great! —matchaflan

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 pound boneless alligator meat (or chicken is fine)
  • 5 cloves of garlic
  • 2 teaspoons coriander seeds
  • 2 teaspoons baharat
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 1 cup flour
  • 2 cups frying oil (any neutral seed oil)
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoons vinegar (I used champagne vinegar)
Directions
  1. Crush cumin and coriander seeds with mortar and pestle, then mix with the baharat (if you don't have baharat, double the cumin + coriander and add a bit of cinnamon) and salt.
  2. Cut the meat into bite-size/1.5 inches long pieces and marinade with the spices, chopped up garlic, vinegar, and milk for as long as you like. 15 minutes was enough for me, however.
  3. Start dredging the pieces in flour (no need to dry off the milk). Fill a small pot or a frying pan with the oil, heat up till 300-400 F and fry. The meat should be cooked in 5 minutes, assuming your pieces are bite-sized.

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • dymnyno
    dymnyno
  • matchaflan
    matchaflan

2 Reviews

matchaflan January 12, 2012
that's so awesome! probably will be even fresher than what I bought at the store. Please let me know how it turns out!
 
dymnyno January 12, 2012
Perfect timing! I am traveling to Florida this weekend and now I am hoping that I will be able to bring some alligator meat home with me.