Alligator and Tasso Sauce Piquante
 
Makes 2 Quarts
Ingredients
  • ⅔ cup plus 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, divided
  • 1 pound tasso, cut into ¾-inch pieces
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup diced yellow onion
  • 1 cup diced poblano pepper
  • ½ cup diced celery
  • 1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes
  • 1 (4-ounce) can chopped green chiles
  • 3 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper, divided
  • 1 to 1½ cups chicken stock
  • 2 pounds cleaned alligator meat, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • Hot cooked rice, to serve
  • Garnish: chopped fresh parsley
Instructions
  1. In a large Dutch oven, heat 2 teaspoons oil over medium-high heat. Add tasso; cook, stirring occasionally, until browned, about 5 minutes. Remove using a slotted spoon, and let drain on paper towels, reserving drippings in pot.
  2. Add remaining ⅔ cup oil to drippings, and heat over medium heat. Whisk in flour, and cook, whisking constantly, until a light brown roux forms, 5 to 6 minutes.
  3. Carefully add onion, poblano, and celery to roux. Cook, stirring occasionally, for 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, green chiles, tomato paste, garlic, ½ teaspoon salt, and ¼ teaspoon black pepper, and cook, stirring frequently, for 1 minute. Slowly stir in 1 cup stock, and bring to a low boil. Reduce heat to medium-low, and cook, stirring frequently, for 30 minutes.
  4. Sprinkle remaining ½ teaspoon salt and remaining ¼ teaspoon black pepper on alligator.
  5. Gently stir alligator and tasso into sauce, and bring to a low boil. Cook, stirring frequently, until alligator is tender, 45 minutes to 1 hour. Taste and adjust seasonings, if necessary. Add up to remaining ½ cup stock if sauce piquante becomes too thick. Serve over rice. Garnish with parsley, if desired.
Recipe by Louisiana Cookin' at https://louisianacookin.com/alligator-tasso-sauce-piquante/