Best Backwoods Surf N Turf Andouille And Alligator Chili Recipes

GULF COAST ALLIGATOR CHILI

Steps:

• Soak alligator in buttermilk in a container, refrigerated, overnight.
• Transfer alligator to a colander and rinse all the buttermilk off the meat. Let it completely drain or pat dry with a paper towel.
• Saute the alligator and ground pork together with the vegetable oil in a large stockpot on medium heat until the meats start to brown and release liquid, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove the cooked meat to a bowl to separate it from the liquid fat. Keeping the fat on medium heat, add the onions, celery, bell pepper and garlic, followed by the chipotles, jalapenos and serranos. Sweat this mixture down until onions turn clear.
• Add diced tomatoes. At this point, you will have a bit of liquid from all the fats and vegetables. Stir in 1/2 cup flour (or more, if desired) to thicken up the liquid and absorb the fats. Stir in the chicken stock, followed by the tomato sauce. Add the drained ranch beans, although this step is optional, depending on whether you want beans in
• your chili (hint: we always do). Cook, stirring regularly, until the pot hits a low boil. Add the alligator and pork mixture, along with half the beer. Stir in the cayenne, chili powder, cumin, turmeric, paprika, black pepper and salt. Reduce the heat to very low, then cover pot and simmer, stirring every 10 minutes or so to keep the chili from sticking to the bottom, 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
• Though you could actually serve this dish now, as it will taste great, we truly feel that refrigerating and reheating it again adds to "the leftover effect" which allows the flavors to really marinate and come out to a noticeable degree. Remove pot from heat and set to the side until chili hits room temperature. Refrigerate overnight. When ready to serve, just reheat slowly (up to a low boil), stirring in the remaining beer to loosen up the dish. Garnish with green onions, Cheddar, sour cream and hot sauce. We always garnish the chili with our signature Dixie Fried Blue Crab and Corn Hush Puppies.

"HIS AND HERS" SURF AND TURF

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• In a saucepan, over medium heat, simmer 4 cups of chicken stock until reduced by half.
• In a large saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Season the filets mignons with salt and pepper and add to the hot pan. Sear on both sides until browned nicely, about 2 to 3 minutes on each side, and transfer to oven for about 3 to 4 minutes for rare, 5 to 6 minutes for medium. Remove from oven and let rest.
• Drain excess oil from the pan and return to medium heat; add the shallots and saute briefly; add the red wine and thyme and simmer for 1 minute. Add the chicken stock and continue simmering to reduce to 1 cup; remove from heat and swirl in butter. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• In another large saute pan over high heat, heat the remaining olive oil until hot but not smoking. Season the shrimp with salt and pepper. Saute the shrimp for about 2 minutes on each side and remove from the pan to a plate.
• Drain any excess oil from the pan and return to the stove. Deglaze with the white wine and reduce by 1/2. Slowly add butter, stirring to emulsify; finish with the chives. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• To serve. On each plate arrange 1 filet and 2 shrimp, spoon about 1 tablespoon of the red wine sauce on the filet and spoon about 1 tablespoon of the white wine sauce over the shrimp. Serve warm.

SURF AND TURF WITH GRILLED VEGETABLES

Steps:

• For the herb butter: Combine the garlic, lemon zest and juice, parsley, butter and a pinch of salt in a small bowl. Keep at room temperature for topping the steak before serving.
• For the salad: Prepare an outdoor grill over medium-high heat. Grill the corn until well-marked, turning as needed, about 5 minutes. Let cool for a few minutes then slice the kernels off and transfer to a medium bowl. Add the oregano leaves, tomato, onion, zucchini, Fresno chile, feta, olive oil, vinegar and salt to taste. Toss to coat evenly.
• For the surf and turf: Toss the prawns with the garlic, lemon juice and olive oil in another medium bowl and let marinade while grilling the steaks. Massage the strip steaks with olive oil and sprinkle each side with salt. Grill the steaks until well-marked and medium-rare, about 3 minutes per side. Let the steaks rest and grill the prawns until pink and cooked through, about 3 minutes per side. Divide the steaks, prawns and salad between 2 plates. Top the steaks with a spoonful of the herb butter.

ALLIGATOR CHILI

Steps:

• In a large Dutch oven or heavy pot, heat oil over medium-high. Season the meat with 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and the granulated garlic. Once the oil shimmers, add the meat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the juices have rendered and the meat has browned, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Add the onion, celery, bell pepper, minced garlic and jalapeño. Cook, stirring often, for 3 to 5 minutes or until the onion is translucent.
• Add the pinto beans, tomato sauce, chicken stock, chili powder and cumin. Stir to combine. Bring the chili to a low boil, then cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer for an hour, stirring occasionally.
• When the meat is tender, season to taste with more salt, pepper and granulated garlic, if desired. Serve hot in bowls, with spaghetti or cornbread if you'd like.