NPR: Chef's Challenge: Ant Brood and Mealworm Recipes

Chef's Challenge: Ant Brood and Mealworm Recipes

The main ingredients

Tired of the same ol' chicken? Sick of ordering Chinese? Why not try something different tonight?

Ant Brood Tacos

2 tbs. butter or peanut oil
1/2 pound ant larvae and pupae
3 Serrano chilies, raw, finely chopped
1 tomato, finely chopped
Pepper, to taste
Cumin, to taste
Oregano, to taste
1 handful cilantro, chopped
Taco shells, to serve

Heat the butter or oil in a frying pan and fry the larvae or pupae. Add the chopped onions, chilies, and tomato, and season with salt. Sprinkle with ground pepper, cumin, and oregano, to taste. Serve in tacos and garnish with cilantro.
(Courtesy of Eatbug.com)

Mealworm Fried Rice

1 egg, beaten
1 tsp. oil
3/4 c. water
1/4 c. chopped onions
4 tsp. soy sauce
1/8 tsp. garlic powder
1 c. minute rice
1 c. cooked mealworms

Scramble egg in a saucepan, stirring to break egg into pieces. Add water, soy sauce, garlic and onions. Bring to a boil. Stir in rice. Cover; remove from heat and let stand five minutes, then add mealworms.
(Courtesy of Iowa State University Entomology Club)

Have your own bug recipe? Do share . . .

Angela Ellis

8:20 PM ET | 02-26-2008 | permalink

Comments (Send a comment)

I find it remarkable to observe (within myself, within others) a profound prejudice against the consumption of terrestrial invertebrates. Aquatic invertbrates are fine (lobster and drawn butter, yum!). But suggest that butter go with cockroach, and watch me head for the door. When will the instictive hatred for the land-based boneless buffet stop?!?

Sent by Scott Graff | 2:01 AM ET | 02-29-2008

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