The Gourmet Gator Cookbook
By Lindy Brookhart Stevens
With cartoons by R.J. Ballard
Size 6" x 9", 112 pages
ISBN 0-8200-0811-7, $9.95

Alligator meat is lean, nutritious and delicious, but until now it's been hard to find recipes for it. This collection of recipes is truly gourmet--and has international flair! The book makes a great gift for cookbook collectors, game hunters, those with a sense of humor and a flair for the unusual. It's illustrated with charming alligator cartoons by Oklahoma artist R.J. Ballard. Though the illustrations are humorous, the recipes are genuine, kitchen-tested and absolutely delicious!

Try Gator Gallejo, Alligator Lasagna, Croc Cordon Bleu, Curried Gator Afrikans, Sweet and Sour Gator, Tandoori Gator, Perfect Alligator Paella, Great Gator Goulash, or Reptile Ratatouille. For a more down home taste, try Beer Batter Gator Bites, Gator and Black-eyed Pea Soup, Gator Po Boy, or Mississippi Grilled Gator... 68 delicious, kitchen-tested recipes in all!

Step 1 Mix ground gator meat and ground beef together. Place in large, heavy skillet or Dutch oven. Add onions, pepper, garlic and mushrooms. Cook on medium-high heat, stirring frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes, or until meat is thoroughly cooked. Remove meat and vegetables with a wooden spoon and drain. Set aside. Discard any fat in pan.

Step 2 Pour tomatoes with juice into Dutch oven or stockpot. Add sugar, oregano, pepper, salt, chili powder, and hot sauce. Stir to mix. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in meat and vegetables. Add beans. Simmer an additional 12 to 15 minutes. Blend in peanut butter and heat throughout. Remove from heat, top with shredded cheese and serve.

• The name "alligator" comes from the Spanish el lagarto, meaning "the lizard."
• Florida and Louisiana have more alligators than any of the other United States.
• Female gators usually don't live as long as males.
• Male gators will bellow loudly if they hear a note in B-flat.
• A motivated gator can travel at 11 mph. (A good argument for keeping your distance!)
• Should a gator lose a tooth, it will grow back. Gators can go through as many as 3000 teeth in a lifetime.
• A four-ounce portion of alligator has fewer calories and less cholesterol than an equal amount of beef, lamb, chicken or pork.
• Feeding wild alligators can cause them to lose their fear of humans, making them more dangerous and more apt to be designated as "nuisance" and killed