Balmain Bug Salad from Australia

Balmain bug salad from Australia

Balmain bugs are common in the fish markets along the eastern Australian coast. At 4 in (20 cm), they look like oversized prawns than prawns with a shape similar to a trilobites. The tail is the edible part, like prawns; heads and bodies can be used for stock. The meat is as sweet as prawns, texture slightly firmer than prawns.

Slipper lobsters or shovel-nosed lobsters are related to balmain bugs.

Balmain bug salad recipe

This salad is a specialty of Sydney. Contrary to what might look, balmain bugs are not insects. Balmain bugs are a type of slipper lobster, not a true lobster, but they have a taste and texture similar to the real one.

Ingredients

USA Imperial
For the dressing
2 tbs		natural yogurt
½ clove		garlic
1 tbs		freshly squeezed lemon juice
4 tbs		olive oil
For the salad
12		cooked, prepared balmain bugs
1 cup		cherry tomatoes
1		large, ripe avocado, sliced
1		small red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup		snow peas or mangetout
2 tbs		fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped

Metric
For the dressing
30 ml		natural yogurt
½ clove		garlic
15 ml		freshly squeezed lemon juice
50 ml		olive oil
For the salad
12		cooked, prepared balmain bugs
225 g		cherry tomatoes
1		large, ripe avocado, sliced
1		small red onion, thinly sliced
50 g		snow peas or mangetout
2 tbs		basil leaves, roughly chopped

Procedure

Dressing

Mix all the ingredients, whisking briskly to make an even emulsion. Season with salt and pepper to your taste.

Salad

Remove the meat from the balmain bugs and chop roughly. Toss with the remaining ingredients in a bowl. Distribute the salad between two plates, drizzle over the dressing. You are ready to serve!

Servings: 2
Preparation time: 10 minutes

Nutrition facts

Serving size: 1 serving

Percent daily values based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information calculated from recipe ingredients.


Amount Per Serving
Calories		575.39
Calories From Fat (63%)		362.37
		% Daily Value
Total Fat 41.77g		64%
Saturated Fat 5.80g		29%
Cholesterol 105.33mg		35%
Sodium 578.55mg		24%
Potassium 1231.21mg		35%
Carbohydrates 19.14g		6%
Dietary Fiber 7.97g		32%
Sugar 1.44g
Sugar Alcohols 0.00g
Net Carbohydrates 11.17g
Protein 34.00g		68%

Cooking Tips

If you cannot find balmain bugs -they are usually sold in fish markets along Australian eastern coast, especially Sydney- any crustacean will be a boog substitute. Substitte balmain bugs with prawns, shrimp, crab or lobster -use 1 lobster, cooked and prepared for this recipe.

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