Garlic Bugs on the Barbeque

Garlic bugs on the barbeque - how to prepare Moreton bay bugs for cooking on the barbeque (including recipe).

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• What are Moreton Bay Bugs?
• Instructions
• Recipe

My Dad does excellent garlic bugs on the barbeque and one Saturday night I had to have them.

Unfortunately Dad wasn't around so we couldn't con him into having us over for bugs.

It was all up to me.

It was tricky tracking down raw bugs but we eventually found them at a local seafood market.

What are Moreton Bay Bugs?

My description of Moreton Bay Bugs would be a cross between a lobster and a prawn but according to the Taste Atlas:

Found off the coast of northern Australia, Moreton Bay bug belongs to the Thenus species of slipper lobsters and encompasses reef bug, officially known as Thenus australiensis and mud bug, officially named Thenus parindicus.
Meat that is found in the tail can withstand poaching, steaming, barbecuing, deep-frying, or grilling, and is characterized by its firm texture and medium to strong flavor. The slipper lobster can be prepared whole and enjoyed as the main course, but the meat is easily incorporated into other dishes.

After rising to challenge one - finding the bugs - I was then presented with challenge number two, these bugs weren't all nicely cut up ready to barbeque like I see them when Dad cooks them.

They were whole and had to have all the gross bits removed and be decapitated and split down the middle.

I'm going to show all the gory details of how to do this so don't read on if you don't like that sort of thing.

Instructions

Step One - Toughen up

At first I didn't think I'd be able to do it.

I had a minor freak out then decided to toughen up and get to work.

Tasty garlic barbecued bugs would be my reward after all.

After a quick call to mum for instructions, with my knife at the ready I was good to go.

Step Two - Remove the legs

This was my first one.

I took the photo before I mastered the technique so really the first step is remove the legs.

Step Three: Remove the head

Once you've done that cut off the head at the top of where the legs were.

You might have to do a little bit of scraping to get rid of the yucky bits.

Step Four: Slice down the middle

Now it's time to slice it down the middle (yes the legs and head should be gone too).

Cut the meat first so it's separated all the way through to the back shell then go for the shell.

With some of them I could break the shell with my hands, others needed some help from the knife.

Step Five: Make the marinade

That's it as far as preparation of the bugs for garlic bugs on the barbeque goes.

Now it's time to whip up a quick marinade.

Butter + crushed garlic, into microwave for 20 seconds =

Garlic butter marinade. Simple!

Step Six: Cook the garlic bugs on the barbeque

To cook, place bugs meat down on a pre-heated, oiled barbecue for about two minutes.

Flip them over onto their shells.

Quickly baste each one with garlic butter goodness and then put the lid down on the barbie (if you have a lid).

Cook for about 5 minutes more (we were completely guesstimating but this timing was pretty spot on).

Step Seven: Eat

Serve them up and enjoy!

Recipe