Ingredients:

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   2      tablespoons   olive oil
   1      pound         alligator meat -- cut in 2" strips
                        emeril's essence -- see * note
     1/4  cup           chopped onions
     1/4  cup           chopped green onions
     1/4  cup           chopped celery
     1/4  cup           chopped green bell peppers
   2      tablespoons   minced seeded jalapeno peppers
   1 1/2  tablespoons   minced garlic
   2      tablespoons   chopped fresh basil
   2      teaspoons     chopped fresh thyme
   2      teaspoons     chopped fresh oregano
   2                    bay leaves
   2 1/2  cups          peeled -- seeded and chopped
                        -- tomatoes
   3      cups          chicken stock
   1      pinch         cayenne pepper
                        salt -- to taste
                        freshly-ground black pepper -- to taste
   2      tablespoons   unsalted butter
   2      cups          cooked white rice
   2      tablespoons   chopped green onions

Preparation:

In a saucepan, heat the olive oil. Season the alligator meat with Emeril's Essence. When the oil is hot, sear the alligator meat. Add the onions, green onions, celery, bell peppers, jalapenos, and garlic. Saute for 2 minutes. Add the herbs and continue sauteing for 1 minute. Stir in the tomatoes and stock. Season with cayenne, salt and pepper. Simmer the sauce for about 30 minutes or until the alligator meat is tender. Stir in the butter. Remove remove 2 cups of the sauce and puree until smooth and set aside. This is a sauce for the "Whole Roasted Chicken Stuffed With Dirty Rice" (the recipe for which is also included in this collection). Spoon the remaining alligator sauce piquant over white rice in a shallow bowl. Garnish with green onions and Emeril's Esse