Best Alligator Eclairs Recipes

SPRING PASTEL ECLAIRS

Steps:

• For the filling: Heat the milk, vanilla pod and scraped seeds in a medium saucepan over medium heat. When it boils, remove from the heat and let steep for 5 minutes. Whisk together the egg yolks and sugar in a medium bowl until light and fluffy. Whisk in the cornstarch until smooth.
• Remove the vanilla pod from the milk mixture and discard. Carefully whisk 1/2 cup of the hot milk mixture into the egg yolks until incorporated, then whisk the egg yolk mixture back into the saucepan. Cook over medium-high heat, whisking constantly, until the mixture is gently bubbling and thickened and coats the back of a spoon, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and whisk in the butter. Transfer the mixture to a glass or metal bowl and let cool slightly, about 10 minutes. Cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic directly against the surface to prevent a skin from forming. Chill at least 2 hours or until ready to serve.
• For the pastry: Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Combine 1 cup water, the butter, sugar and salt in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. When the mixture boils, immediately add all the flour at once and stir with a wooden spoon until it is fully incorporated and smooth, 1 minute. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the dough pulls away from the sides of the pan, about 30 seconds more. Scrape the mixture into a large bowl. Using an electric mixer on medium speed add the eggs 1 egg at a time, mixing well after each addition, until they are completely incorporated and the mixture is thick and smooth.
• Transfer the mixture to a pastry bag fitted with a medium round tip. Pipe 2-inch lengths of dough onto the prepared baking sheet leaving about 1/2 inch between each. To make smooth eclairs, dip your finger in water and smooth out any bumps or points in the dough.
• Bake for 20 minutes, then reduce the heat to 375 degrees F and bake until the eclair shells are puffed up and golden brown, about 30 minutes more. Place the eclairs on a wire rack and let cool completely on the baking sheet.
• Transfer the chilled pastry cream to a pastry bag fitted with small plain tip. Use the tip to gently poke a hole into one end of each eclair shell. Pipe the custard into the eclairs until they are just filled (do not overfill). Alternatively, you may split each eclair open with a knife so that it opens like a book and spoon in the filling.
• For the glaze: Place 1 cup of confectioners' sugar in each of 3 medium bowls. Whisk the orange juice concentrate and water in to one, the cranberry-raspberry juice into one and the Concord grape juice and water in to one, mixing until smooth. Dip the top of each filled eclair into a glaze, letting the excess drip off before turning over and placing on a platter. Let the eclairs rest until the glaze dries and is shiny, 30 minutes.

ECLAIRS

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 350 degrees
• In a saucepan add water, butter, shortening, powdered milk, and salt and bring to a boil. When boiling, add the pastry flour and mix well. Pour these ingredients into a standing mixer with a whisk attachment and add the eggs, 1 at a time. Mix until all ingredients are combined well. Remove the batter from the mixer and pour into a pastry bag. Using a small tip, pipe the batter out about 2 inches long onto a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Bake at 350 for 45 to 50 minutes.
• In a small saucepan mix together the milk, 1/4 cup sugar, the butter and vanilla bean scrapings and bring it to a boil. In a medium bowl whisk together the remaining 1/4 cup sugar with the cornstarch. Add the eggs and yolks and mix until well combined. Temper the hot milk mixture into the egg mixture and add combined mixture back into the hot milk. Bring the pastry cream to a boil. Remove from the heat and strain it through a fine sieve into a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap that touches the cream itself. Refrigerate until ready to use. Pastry cream will stay fresh covered and refrigerated for up to 1 week. Yield: approximately 4 cups
• Place the filling into a pastry bag and using a small tip, fill the center of the Eclair.

FRIED ALLIGATOR WITH A GARLIC AIOLI DIPPING SAUCE; MEDITERRANEAN ALLIGATOR WITH A TOMATO AND CAPER SAUCE; ALLIGATOR PICATTA

Steps:

• Combine equal parts of plain bread crumbs and flour in a small bowl. Dip the alligator meat in the flour mixture and set the pieces aside. In a large skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the alligator meat to the hot oil and pan-fry until all sides are evenly browned. When the alligator is cooked through, remove the meat with tongs, and drain the excess oil on a paper towel-lined plate. Immediately add salt and freshly ground pepper to taste. Before serving, squeeze the juice of 1 lemon on top of the fried alligator.
• In a food processor, pulse the garlic, green onion, and white onion until minced and thoroughly combined. Add the egg yolks and lemon juice, and pulse again until blended. Slowly drizzle the oil into through the feeding tube of the processor until the sauce emulsifies. When the sauce is thickened, add salt, pepper, and a couple drops of hot pepper sauce, to taste. Serve as a dipping sauce for the Fried Alligator.
• Combine the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When hot, add the onion and shallot to the pan, and saute for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the garlic, and then add the alligator meat. Saute the alligator for 8 to 10 minutes, or until the meat begins to brown, flipping the meat when the first side begins browning. Add the tomatoes, parsley, lemon juice, and olives to the pan. Bring to a simmer, and then lower heat to maintain a simmer for 35 to 40 minutes. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
• Pound the alligator with a meat mallet to tenderize. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, and then add the olive oil and 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the shallot, and saute for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon so that it doesn't burn. Add the alligator meat to the pan, and saute for an additional 8 to 10 minutes, or until the alligator browns slightly. Add chicken stock and flour, and then cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until the sauce thickens. Lower the heat to medium-low, and add the capers and lemon juice, and then simmer for 15 minutes. Add butter, as needed, to thicken the sauce. Garnish the plate with lemon wedges.