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sabang

Futurists speculate that insects might well be the food of the future.

Consider-
They are nutritious- high in protein, low in fat
They are cheap to harvest, and plentiful.
Their fast breeding cycle means they are a renewable resource.
They only require a fraction of the earths dwindling resources as a protein source, compared to animal flesh.
The human race is facing overpopulation issues (more food thus required), and climate change (insects are much more hardy to climate change than warm blooded animals).
It is doubtful we can continue plundering the animal resources of the sea and land indefinitely, and destroying ecosystems to do so.

So, the trick is how do you sell this highly practical source of nourishment to Joe Public? I've met Joe's that don't even like to eat shrimp with the head still on, never mind whole fish. They don't like the eyes looking back at them. Everything must be made to appear nothing like the beast from which it originated. And, of course, it must be tasty.

Nevertheless, change is a given- thirty years ago, potato skins were usually considered pig food.


Here's my recipe for what I reckon would be a decent grasshopper burger-

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kingwilly

i think herein lies your problem,

they aint gonna give a good consistency if u grind them, you'll end up with grasshoppper flavoured cornflour burgers (with legs in it)

sabang

Yeh, getting the patties the right consistency might be a problem. I'll see if mrs has any ideas. Or Timba?

Katana

Hmm
Howabout dicing the hoppers ... remove the legs and adding diced onion and grated carrot into the mix with a little finely sliced chilli and basil (bai horahpah)

That should give it a better texture and a nice mixture of flavours.

I would try one.

Mark

sabang

^ A little grated carrot might just do the trick Mark. Good idea.
Can't be arsed removing the legs though- thats protein too!

Heres a new thought- some of that sage stuffing you can get in a packet.

Spin

It would be near impossible to come up with a worse idea!

dirtydog

When you say "Joes" I think you mean "Refined English Gentleman", anyway thats you banned....

Timber

I'm curious about this one. I don't think I could convince alot of people to to eat it. I'd try one though. I'll see what I can find. I've heard of some places specializing in insect service, maybe I can steal some recipes.

Texpat

Add teaspoonfuls of minced beef or pork until you get the right consistency.

stroller

Yeah.
Replace the cornflour with an egg and a raw aubergine gone through the blender - assuming you have enough insects to make at least 5 burgers.
You'll be amazed at the consistency.

Or use grilled, skinned aubergines, which add flavour, but are not so good for binding.

I am not a burger-fan, so I'd add finely chopped garlic and fish-sauce to the mix, but up to you.

kingwilly

that's an eggplant in normal speak.

sabang

This would certainly work, but it would somewhat adulterate the concept. Tempting, I must admit.

Smart stuff stroller.

I'm certainly gonna give it a shot. The results will follow in due course. Cutting edge cuisine this.

After I get out of jail that is.

Marmite the Dog

Depends if you're speaking English or Merkin.

stroller

The long green ones (aubergines aka eggplants), not the small hard round ones or the pear-shaped imported variety.
Been using this method for vege and low-meat fried patties.

Norton

Please no veggies. We are talkin burgers here.

Lightly blend a skinned frog (available at your nearest rice paddy) until you have the desired burger consistency then add to the ground grasshoppers.

stroller

A truely deserving 4oooth post, Norton!