Did you know that cooking Balmain Bugs is a thing? It’s true! These bugs are found in the Australian outback, and taste similar to lobster. If you want to learn how to cook Balmain bugs, then read on!
Balmain bugs, also known as butterfly fan lobster, are a species of slipper lobster. They live throughout Australia in shallow waters. They are the subject of a small-scale fishery.
The bugs are flattened, reddish-brown animals that can be up to 23 centimeters long and 14 centimeters wide.
The Balmain Bug is found all over the Australian Coast, from Southport in Queensland to New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania to Geraldton in Western Australia. Also found in New Zealand.
Why is it Called a Balmain Bug?
The scientific ncoastf this species is Ibacus peronii. Australians commonly refer to it as a “Balmain bug.” The name derives from Balmain, a suburb on the coast of Sydney, Australia.
Other common names include Eastern Balmain bug, butterfly lobster, flapjack, Péron’s Ibacus crab, sand crayfish, sand lobster, southern shovel-nosed lobster, prawn killer, coastquagga.
Perhaps a more appropriate title would be “butterfly fan lobster,” as it’s the name favored by the Food and Agriculture Organization.
What does Balmain Lobster Look Like?
In common with other slipper lobsters, Balmain bugs have flat bodies and a large carapace and are considered flathead lobsters. The body is reddish-brown.
These oddly-shaped lobsters have long and broad antennae, not to mention the flattened shape of the entire animal. Its legs have claws on each pair of them. It typically goes partially into moist substrates such as dirt or leaves.
Typically caught animals weigh around 120 grams, but that can be between 80-200 gms.
Balmain Bug Tails
As you can see from the photo, Balmain bug tails are large and flat. This is why they are also known as “butterfly fan lobsters.” The tails make up around two-thirds of the entire bug’s length.
What Does the Balmain Bay Bug Taste Like?
Some people said that the flesh has some taste of garlic.
The average yield of this dish is 30% because the edible bug flesh is only the tail meat. The larger Bugs have a lower yield due to their head size.
The bBughas a medium-strong flavor (fishier than Moreton Bay Bugs), low oiliness, and dry, firm flesh.
Balmain Bug Vs Moreton Bay Bug
Balmain Bugs vs Moreton Bay Bugs. Credit: canva
What is the difference between Balmain bugs and Moreton Bay bugs?
The Balmain Bug is often confused with the Moreton Bay Bug. The key differences between these bugs are their eye positions and the presence (or absence) of posterolateral teeth on the head.
Balmain bugs have eyes closer to the claws, while Moreton Bay bugs have their eyes at the end of their legs.
In addition, Moreton Bay bugs have no postero-lateral teeth on the head. Balmain bugs have 6–8 individual teeth on each side of the head.
How to Catch Balmain Bugs?
Only wild-caught Balmain bugs are available, but some aquaculture research is ongoing.
Fishing for the bugBugcuses on New South Wales, mostly caught as bycatch trawling for fish and prawns.
Balmain bugs are caught using otter trawls that keep to just over the seafloor. Trawling is also conducted on sandy and muddy surfaces in and around the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park.
How to Prepare Balmain Bugs?
Preparation of Balmain bugs for cooking:
The first step is to remove the legs and claws from each bug.
Next, open up the tail using a sharp knife and remove the intestinal tract.
Wash each bug thoroughly under running water to remove any sand or grit.
Once cleaned, the bugs are ready to be cooked.
How to Cook Balmain Bugs?
Credit: canva
Cooking methods
The most humane and easiest method of killing any crustacean is to chill it in the freezer for about 45 minutes until it becomes insensible (but not long enough to freeze it). Once chilled, it should be killed promptly by splitting in half.
The most common cooking methods are steaming, poaching, deep-frying, cookinging, stir-frying, grilling, and barbecue. It is also excellent cold, as part of cold seafood plates.
To BBQ, cut in half lengthwise and cook in the shell. The firm bug meat holds together well in soups, salads, curries, and casseroles and can be cubed for kebabs.
Balmain Bugs Recipes
There are so many recipes for cookincooking Balmain bugs (or Moreton bay bugs), from the most famous recipes to the quick and easy ones.
Here are several recipes that you can try at home.
Moreton Bay bugs with Herb and Garlic Butter Recipe (by Matt Moran)
If you love garlic butter goodness, this bugs with garlic recipe will be perfect for you.
Prep & Cooking time: 17 minutes
Serves: 4
Ingredients:
4 green Moreton Bay bugs (or can be substituted with Balmain bugs), split in half lengthways
Olive oil, to drizzle
Lemon wedges, to serve
Herb and Garlic Butter:
100g softened unsalted butter
1 tbs finely chopped continental parsley leaves
1 tsp chopped thyme leaves
1 tbs finely chopped oregano leaves
1 garlic clove, crushed
Method:
Preheat a barbecue with a lid to medium-hiBug
Combine all ingredients in a bowl for the herb and garlic butter marinade—season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine.
Cover with plastic wrap. Chill until ready to use, then bring to room temperature before serving.
Put the bugs on a plate, drizzle with oil, and season them.
Put the bug with its shell side-down on a barbecue grill to cook Balmain bugs. Close and cook for 6 minutes, then turn to grill flesh-side down for 1-2 minutes until lightly charred—transfer bugs to a platter.
To serve these bugs, brush some butter over the bug flesh. Serve with remaining butter on the side and lemon wedges if desired.
Moreton Bay Bugs and other Crustaceans. Credit: canva
Grilled Balmain Bugs with Lime and Pepper Dressing Recipe (by Justin Schofield)
This recipe is an easy yet perfect gourmet seafood salad. Let’s try this.
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Serves: entree for 4
Ingredients:
6 BalmaiBugugs can be substituted with Moreton Bay bugs or large prawns
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Pinch of chili powder
Juice of one lime
1 tsp salt
¼ tsp fresh cracked black pepper
2 carrots, julienned
Method:
Mix the lime juice, pepper, and pinch of salt until they’re well incorporated.
First, with a sharp knife, turn the bug on its back and cut down the center.
Peel and clean the bugs by removing any tracks or innards. Dry with some paper toweling.
To remove the lobster meat from the shell, twist the head away from the body.
Place the tail on its back and cut down each sideBug the tail using a sharp kitchen scissor.
Remove this softshell and intestinal tract. Drizzle with a small amount of oil and sprinkle chili powder.
Heat a large griddle pan over high heat.
Grill the bugs for 30 seconds on their flesh side before turning them and grilling for another 2-3 minutes.
Grilling your bug for 30 seconds on each side will ensure the meat is well-cooked.
Add the carrots and serve with the dipping sauce on the side.
Balmain Bug and Apple Salad Recipe
Bug salad? Why not. It is easy and refreshing.
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Serves: entree for 6
Ingredients:
1 kilogram cooked butterfly fan lobster meat can be substituted with prawns, lobster, scampi, or crab.
2 Lebanese cucumbers (260g), cut into ribbons
2 apples (300g), halved, sliced thinly
2 cups loosely packed fresh Vietnamese mint leaves
2 cups loosely packed fresh coriander leaves
3 purple shallots (75g), sliced thinly
2 fresh small red Thai chilies, sliced thinly
1 tablespoon finely grated lime rind
1/3 Bug (80ml) lime juice
2 tablespoon grated palm sugar
1 tablespoon fish sauce
Method:
Make purple shallot dressing. Combine ingredients in a bowl; stand 8-10 minutes.
Combine meat in a large bowl with remaining ingredients; add dressing, and toss gently.
How to Eat Balmain Bugs?
To remove meat from shells, either split Bug lengthwise or, to keep the meat in one piece, remove the head, turn the tail over and cut down either side of the tail using kitchen scissors, peel the underside of the tailback, and remove meat.
Do not recook cooked Bugs. Eat cold in salads or with a dipping sauce.
FAQs
Balmain bug vs lobster: What’s the difference?
The main difference between Balmain bugs and lobster is that Balmain bugs are a type of slipper lobster, whereas lobster is a type of shellfish. Balmain bugs are found in Australia, and their meat is considered to be more delicate than that of lobster. Lobster is found in both the Atlantic and Pacific oceans.
How to catch Moreton Bay bugs?
Commercial fishing for Moreton Bay Bugs is common, as are demersal otter trawls and dredge nets, which capture them as a by-catch of local prawn fisheries.
How long do Balmain bugs last?
There are many differences in the life histories of two species of bugs found in NSW, eastern Balmain and smooth. Eastern Balmain bugs generally live for more extended periods – more than 15 years – but this is not the case with smooth bugs, which only have about 7 years to live on average.
Is seafood a bug?
Insects, spiders and scorpions, and shellfish are part of the animal phylum Arthropoda. Lobsters look more like insects than they do fish.
