Best Spicy Middle Eastern Alligator With Rice Pilaf And Tabbouleh Salad Recipes

facebook share image   twitter share image   pinterest share image   E-Mail share image

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



Fried Alligator with a Garlic Aioli Dipping Sauce; Mediterranean Alligator with a Tomato and Caper Sauce; Alligator Picatta image

Provided by Food Network

Categories     appetizer

Time 2h40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 37

Bread crumbs, for dredging
Flour, for dredging
8 to 10 pieces alligator meat
Olive oil, for frying
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 lemon, juiced
Garlic Aioli dipping sauce, recipe follows
Mediterranean Alligator with a Tomato and Caper Sauce, recipe follows
Alligator Picatta, recipe follows
1 clove garlic
1 green onion
1 white onion
4 egg yolks
1 lemon, juiced
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Salt and pepper
Hot taste pepper sauce, to taste
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 onion, chopped
1 shallot, finely diced
1 clove garlic, minced
8 to 10 pieces alligator meat
1 can whole peeled tomatoes
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves
1 lemon, juiced
Kalamata olives, chopped
Salt and pepper
8 to 10 pieces alligator meat
2 tablespoons olive oil
4 tablespoons butter, plus an additional 1 to 2 tablespoons for thickening sauce
1 large shallot, chopped
1 cup chicken stock
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 tablespoons capers
2 lemons, juiced, plus additional wedges for garnish

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.

PEPPER STEAK AND RICE PILAF WITH MUSHROOMS



Pepper Steak and Rice Pilaf with Mushrooms image

Provided by Rachael Ray : Food Network

Categories     main-dish

Time 35m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, eyeball it
1 tablespoon butter
10 white mushrooms, chopped
1 3/4 cups water
1 package rice pilaf mix (recommended: Near East brand), 6.09 ounces
2 tablespoons chopped parsley leaves
2 tablespoons vegetable oil, 2 turns of the pan
2 pounds tenderloin tips or sirloin, cut into chunks
Coarse salt
2 tablespoons butter
2 green bell peppers, seeded, 2 inch dice
1/2 white onion, sliced
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1/4 cup dry sherry - eyeball it
1 1/2 cups beef consomme
1 teaspoon coarse black pepper

Steps:

  • In a medium pot over medium to medium high heat add a tablespoon of oil and a tablespoon of butter. When butter melts, add chopped mushrooms and saute 3 to 5 minutes. Add water and cover the pot. Add rice and pilaf packet to water. Stir to combine, reduce heat and cook 18 minutes. Add parsley, fluff with fork.
  • Preheat a large skillet over high heat. Add vegetable oil to really hot pan. Add meat and sear on all sides, 5 minutes. Season with salt and remove to a plate. Cover meat loosely with foil to hold heat. Reduce heat on pan to medium. Add butter to pan. Add peppers and a little onion. Saute peppers and onions 5 minutes. Sprinkle flour over vegetables and cook 1 minute longer. Whisk in sherry and start to pick up pan drippings. Whisk in consomme and continue whisking. Add tomato and black pepper. Slide meat back into the pan and coat with sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer 5 minutes.
  • Spoon Pepper Steak over Mushroom Rice Pilaf and serve.

SPICY TABBOULEH WITH CUMIN AND BACON TARATOUR SAUCE



Spicy Tabbouleh with Cumin and Bacon Taratour Sauce image

Provided by Food Network

Yield 2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 13

1 cup bulghur wheat
1 teaspoon salt
2 cups chopped tomatoes (about 2 large tomatoes)
4 cups finely chopped parsley
16 slices well-cooked bacon, finely chopped
1 tablespoon ground cumin
6 tablespoons lemon juice
6 tablespoons olive oil
1 cup minced scallions
Few drops of harissa (a spicy sauce; you may substitute Tabasco)
1 cup tahini
1/2 cup lemon juice
3 garlic cloves, crushed with 1 teaspoon salt

Steps:

  • For the tabbouleh: Place the bulghur wheat in a bowl and cover with water. Stir in the salt and soak for 40 minutes, or until the a bulghur is softened but still a bit crunchy. When ready, drain the water from the bulghur wheat, squeezing out as much moisture as possible with your hands.
  • Place the bulghur wheat in a large bowl and add the tomatoes, the parsley, the bacon and the cumin. Mix well. Add the lemon juice, the olive oil and the harissa. Mix well and taste for seasoning. Cover. Reserve in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Just before serving, moisten with a bit of olive oil.
  • For the taratour sauce: Combine all ingredients in a bowl. Beat in 1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons cold water in a stream.
  • Wine: 1986 Domaines Ott Bandol Rose

TOASTED MILLET TABBOULEH



Toasted Millet Tabbouleh image

Millet is one of the most delicate of grains and can be prepared in three very distinct ways-it can be popped, toasted and simmered into a fluffy pilaf (as in this recipe) or left untoasted and made into a creamy porridge. It's a great source of plant protein and is gluten-free. We love using it here as the base for tabbouleh in place of the more traditional bulgur wheat.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

2/3 cup millet
2 cups loosely packed parsley leaves, coarsely chopped
2 Persian cucumbers, finely chopped (do not peel)
1 medium tomato, finely chopped
4 radishes, finely chopped
3 scallions, white and green parts, finely chopped
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Put the millet in a medium saucepan over medium heat and swirl until lightly golden and toasted, 6 to 8 minutes. Pour in 1 1/2 cups of water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low, cover and simmer until most of the water is absorbed and the millet is tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from the heat and let sit, covered, for 10 minutes. Fluff with a fork and cool.
  • Combine the cooled millet, parsley, cucumbers, tomato, radishes, scallions, lemon juice, oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper in a medium bowl. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

Related Topics