Cajun Edge Catering Alligator Tacos Recipe

Source: Cajun Edge Catering, Chandler, Arizona - as published in the Arizona Republic 3/28/01

• 1 pound alligator meat (order from seafood shops or use pork)
• 2 cups marinade (1 cup buttermilk ranch dressing mixed with 1 cup amber or dark beer)
• 2 limes
• 2 tablespoons Cajun seasoning
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1  cup Cajun salsa (recipe follows)
• 8 corn tortillas
• 1 cup Cajun guacamole (recipe follows)

Cut alligator into 1/4-inch pieces. Add to marinade and refrigerate overnight.
In a medium bowl, combine juice of 1 lime, Cajun seasoning, salt, and 1 cup Cajun Salsa. Mix well. Set aside.Heat tortillas on a hot griddle or skillet in a small amount of oil. Set aside.

Remove alligator from marinade. In a cast-iron skillet or on a hot griddle, brown the alligator pieces. Add the salsa mixture to the skillet and cook until heated through. Spoon warm alligator-and-salsa mixture into tortillas. Top with Cajun Guacamole and lime. Makes 4 servings.

Cajun Salsa

• 1 medium onion, chopped
• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Juice of 2 or 3 limes
• 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
• 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Refrigerate until needed.

Cajun Guacamole

• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• Pulp of 2 or 3 avocados, mashed, pits reserved
• 1 tomato, finely chopped
• Juice from 2 limes
• 1 tablespoon Tabasco sauce
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon Cajun seasoning

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Place avocado pits in the mixture to keep it fresh. Refrigerate. Remove pits when ready to serve. Approximately values per serving: 417 calories, 18 g fat, 36 mg cholesterol, 30 g protein, 41 g carbohydrates, 10 g fiber, 1,114 mg sodium, 36 percent calories from fat

Raspberry Brie Crescents

• 1 (8-count) roll refrigerated crescent rolls
• 8 teaspoons raspberry jam
• 4 ounces Brie cheese, cut into 4-inch long strips

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
Unwrap crescent rolls; separate into triangles. Lightly spread 1 teaspoon jam across the wide end of each triangle. 

Place cheese strip on wide end of each triangle on top of jam.
Roll each from wide to narrow point into crescent shape. Place with open cheese side up on prepared baking sheet. Bake 10 to 12 minutes or until crescents are golden brown. Serve immediately. Serves 8.

Nutrition per serving: 174 calories, 15 g carbohydrate, 5g protein, 10g fat, 0g fiber, 14 mg cholesterol, 309mg sodium