Florida OJ Alligator Salad With Remoulade Sauce

Ingredients

Florida Citrus Rémoulade Dressing:

  • ¾ cup (180 ml) Florida Orange Juice
  • 1 tsp. orange zest, chopped
  • 1 cup mayonnaise
  • ⅓ cup ketchup
  • 3 tbsp. cornichons, chopped
  • 2 tbsp. capers, chopped
  • 2 tbsp. mustard
  • 2 tbsp. lemon juice
  • 1 ½ tbsp. fresh tarragon, chopped
  • 1 tbsp. Creole seasoning
  • 2 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
  • 2 tsp. garlic powder
  • 2 tsp. paprika
  • 1 tsp. Original TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce

Crispy Gator:

  • 2 cups Florida Orange Juice
  • ¼ cup Original TABASCO® brand Pepper Sauce
  • 1 ½ lb. alligator, tail meat, 2-inch pieces
  • 1 cup flour
  • 1 tbsp. cornstarch
  • 1 tsp. baking soda
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • 1 ½ cups club soda, cold
  • Salt to taste
  • Pepper to taste

For Salad:

  • ½ cup Florida Grapefruit Segments, seeded
  • ¾ cup Florida Orange Segments, seeded
  • 16 oz. mixed greens
  • 2 cups fennel, thinly shaved
  • 1 cup red cabbage, shredded
  • ¾ cup cucumber, thinly sliced
  • ¾ cup red onion, thinly sliced
  • ½ cup radish, thinly sliced

Preparation

Florida OJ Alligator Salad With Remoulade Sauce

1. For Florida Citrus Rémoulade Dressing:  Combine all ingredients; mix well. Cover and chill.

2. For Crispy Alligator:  Combine Florida Orange Juice with TABASCO®. Place alligator in baking dish; pour orange juice mixture over alligator. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or preferably overnight.

3. To prepare alligator, combine flour, cornstarch, baking soda and salt in bowl; add club soda and stir just until combined. Batter will be lumpy. Remove alligator from marinade; drain on paper towels.

4. Discard marinade. Dredge alligator pieces in flour mixture; fry in deep fryer at 350° F or pan-fry over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked thoroughly.

5. Remove from oil; drain on paper towels. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

6. For Salad:  Combine all ingredients in large salad bowl. Toss with reserved dressing to coat.

7. To serve, place a mound of salad in center of each plate. Place 3 to 4 pieces of Crispy Gator on each salad. Serve extra Florida Citrus Rémoulade Dressing on the side.