CAST IRON ALLIGATOR RECIPES

Steps:

• There are different ways to make a roux in the oven.
• OVEN ROASTER PAN with OIL and FLOUR
• Preheat oven to 350°
• Whisk together thoroughly equal parts canola oil and all-purpose flour in an oven roaster or heavy pot, and bake for two hours
• No stirring is required - You can prepare the oven-baked roux while you prepare the vegetables for a gumbo, stew or etouffee and the side dishes
• Let cool and store in glass jar
• Note that cooking times are approximate; you may have to cook the roux a longer to get the desired color.
• OVEN ROASTER PAN with FLOUR only
• Distribute 2 - 6 cups of flour evenly over the dry bottom of a cast iron skillet or heavy Dutch oven.
• Place in a preheated 400 degree oven for approximately an hour. Stir after the first 30 minutes; then again 15 minutes later
• Alternatively, you can put the desired amount of flour on a baking sheet and bake it at 350 approximately 25 to 60 minutes.
• RECOMMENDED METHOD
• Preheat oven to 350°
• 2 cups flour
• 1 1/2 cups of canola oil
• Whisk together the oil and flour in a cast iron pot
• Bake for two hours, remove pan and stir.
• Increase temperature to 400 degrees, and bake for 30 minutes more or until desired color.

Steps:

• Season chicken thighs generously with Old Bay the night before.
• Use high heat to preheat the pot and add the sausage. With a large spoon, constantly move the sausage from the bottom of the pot. Brown the sausage but be careful not to burn the meat; remove sausage.
• Using excess sausage drippings, brown the chicken on all sides (you may need to add some oil to pan to sauté). Again use the spoon to scrape the meat from sticking and burning to the bottom of the pot. Be careful not to over cook the thigh meat to the point that it shreds; remove thighs.
• Add Italian sausage and start to brown adding onions and bell peppers when sausage is halfway browned. (You may need to add a little oil again).
• Add red, black and white peppers to mixture and cook until veggies are translucent, about 5-7 minutes over medium-high heat. Again use the spoon to scrape the meat from sticking and burning to the bottom of the pot.
• Add the ham and garlic and cook for another minute stirring and scraping bottom of pot to not scorch garlic. Add the remaining Old Bay seasoning, thyme, basil and bay leaves; stir. Return chicken and sausage to pot; mix and fold. Cook over low heat for 10 minutes. This will give the seasonings time to release their oils and flavors.
• Add beer to deglaze pan scraping about 2 minutes. Add the stock and bring to a boil. Add the rice and fold in. Return to a slow boil and cook uncovered for about 5 minutes stirring and scraping pan bottom so rice does not stick and burn to pan bottom; mix in parsley. Reduce heat to the lowest possible setting and simmer, covered, for at least 30-35 minutes. Do not remove the cover while the rice is steaming.
• After uncovering there may be some liquid remaining on top. Fold the rice in (DO NOT STIR). Turn off heat and let stand till liquid is absorbed. Remove bay leaves. Enjoy!