Grilled BBQ Morton Bay Bugs with Herb-Infused Butter
Elevate your seafood feast with these succulent Morton Bay bugs, a prized delicacy in Australia. This recipe features a delightful blend of herbs and spices, perfectly complemented by a rich garlic and chili butter. Ideal for summer barbeques or special occasions, these grilled bugs are easy to prepare yet offer an exquisite taste experience. Whether you are using local Morton Bay bugs or sumptuous lobster tails, this dish is sure to impress your guests with its savory flavors and beautiful presentation.
N/A
Servings
420
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
Morton Bay Bugs
3 (Fresh, halved)
Salt
1 (Teaspoon)
Butter
60 (Grams, melted)
Fresh Parsley
1 (Tablespoon, chopped)
Chili Sauce
1 (Teaspoon)
Garlic
1 (Teaspoon, crushed)
Chili Flakes
1/2 (Teaspoon)
Ground Black Pepper
1/4 (Teaspoon)
Instructions
1
In a small pot, bring water to a boil, add salt, and blanch the Morton Bay bugs for about 2 minutes to enhance their natural sweetness and ensure they cook evenly.
2
Carefully remove the tails by twisting them off the body, ensuring not to pull any organs along with them.
3
Using a sharp knife, slice down the belly of each tail, then gently lift out the thin sections of the shell to expose the succulent meat.
4
In a microwave-safe cup, melt the butter by microwaving for approximately 30 seconds. Be careful not to overheat.
5
Stir in the chopped parsley, chili sauce, crushed garlic, chili flakes, and black pepper into the melted butter, creating a flavorful mixture.
6
Generously fill each tail with the herb-infused butter mix, making sure to pack it in well so it seeps into the meat.
7
Preheat your BBQ grill to medium heat and place the tails shell side down on the grill plate.
8
Grill the Morton Bay bugs for about 10 minutes, basting occasionally with any remaining butter mixture, until the meat is opaque and fully cooked.
Nutrition Information
30g
Fat
5g
Carbs
30g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Morton Bay bugs?
Morton Bay bugs are a succulent seafood delicacy popular in Australia, known for their sweet and tender meat similar to lobster.
Can I substitute Morton Bay bugs with something else?
Yes, lobster tails are a perfect substitute for Morton Bay bugs in this recipe.
Why should I blanch the Morton Bay bugs first?
Blanching for 2 minutes in salted boiling water enhances the natural sweetness and ensures the meat cooks evenly on the grill.
How do I properly remove the bug tails?
Carefully twist the tails off the body to ensure you do not pull any internal organs along with the meat.
How do I prepare the shell to expose the meat?
Use a sharp knife to slice down the belly of the tail and gently lift out the thin shell sections.
What goes into the herb-infused butter?
The mixture consists of melted butter, fresh parsley, chili sauce, crushed garlic, chili flakes, and black pepper.
How long should I melt the butter in the microwave?
Melt the butter for approximately 30 seconds, taking care not to overheat it.
What is the recommended BBQ heat setting?
Preheat and maintain your BBQ grill at a medium heat for the best results.
Which side of the bug should be placed on the grill?
Place the Morton Bay bugs shell side down on the grill plate.
How long do the bugs take to cook on the BBQ?
They should be grilled for about 10 minutes until the meat is opaque and fully cooked.
Should I baste the bugs while they are grilling?
Yes, occasionally basting with any remaining butter mixture helps keep the meat moist and flavorful.
How many calories are in this recipe?
This dish contains approximately 420 calories per serving.
Is this recipe low in carbohydrates?
Yes, it contains only 5g of carbohydrates, making it suitable for low-carb diets.
What is the protein content of Grilled Morton Bay bugs?
The recipe provides a high protein content of 30g per serving.
How much fat is in this seafood dish?
There are 30g of fat per serving, primarily coming from the herb-infused butter.
Can I use dried parsley instead of fresh?
While fresh parsley is recommended for flavor and color, you can use dried parsley if fresh is unavailable.
Is this dish spicy?
It has a mild to moderate heat profile due to the inclusion of chili sauce and chili flakes.
What kind of chili sauce should I use?
A standard red chili sauce or Sriracha works well to add a bit of tang and heat to the butter.
How do I know when the meat is done?
The meat is ready when it transitions from translucent to a solid white, opaque appearance.
Can I cook these in an oven if I don't have a BBQ?
Yes, you can use an oven grill (broiler) on medium-high heat, following similar timing.
How many Morton Bay bugs are used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 3 fresh Morton Bay bugs, halved.
Should the garlic be fresh or powdered?
Freshly crushed garlic is highly recommended for the best aromatic flavor in the butter.
What is the best occasion for this recipe?
It is ideal for summer barbeques, special occasions, or a fancy weekend seafood feast.
Does this recipe include salt?
Yes, one teaspoon of salt is used during the blanching process.
Can I use salted butter?
Yes, you can use salted butter, but you may want to reduce any additional seasoning if you are sensitive to salt.
How much black pepper is required?
The recipe calls for 1/4 teaspoon of ground black pepper.
Is this a traditional Australian dish?
Yes, Morton Bay bugs are a staple of Australian seafood cuisine, often prepared on the BBQ.
How much butter is needed?
The recipe requires 60 grams of melted butter for the herb infusion.
Is this recipe gluten-free?
The ingredients listed are naturally gluten-free, but always check your chili sauce label to be certain.
Should I remove the meat from the shell before grilling?
No, leave the meat in the shell; the shell protects the meat from the direct heat of the grill and holds the butter.