Introduction to “Entomophagy” Lab

Problem: Can insects be considered as being edible and a good source of protein with little fat and carbohydrates?

Introduction

Edible insects; you may feel that these two words do not even belong in the same sentence. You have every right to be skeptical. In all probability, you have never deliberately eaten an insect. However you have probably inadvertently consumed over a pound of insects in your lifetime. There is a term for this. The word is Entomophagy or bug eating.

Some insects are edible. In fact, most insects are edible, but there are a few species that are especially palatable, nutritious, and easily obtainable. Many species of insects are lower in fat, higher in protein, and have a better feed to meat ratio than beef, lamb, pork, or chicken. Insects are tasty. Even if you are too squeamish to have them as a main dish, you can make insect flour and add it to bread and other dishes for an added protein boost.

Procedure:

Apparatii:

Provide by School

1000 Mealworms (medium)

250 Crickets (6 wks, 1”)

5 Hissing Cockroaches (Adult)

All Kitchen Appliances and Utensils

* Some recipe items (need to verify)

Provided by Student

* See recipe (minus the insects and some recipe items (need to verify))

Steps:

1. Each person is to choose one or two recipe(s) of their choice; however, prior to choosing one person will be randomly picked to create the house specialty, “Stir Fried Cockroaches”.

2. By using kitchen appliances and utensils, create the dish.

3. Note that the insects need to be prepared correctly (see handout)

4. Dish must be displayed in a gourmet manner.

5. A participation grade will be established based on cleanliness, professionalism, and interest.

Stir Fried Cockroach

Materials:

4-5 Cockroaches (recently frozen)

Vegetable Cooking Oil

Salt (1 TBS)

MSG (2 TBS) (white crystalline compound used as a food additive to enhance flavor; often used in Chinese cooking)

Corn Starch (1 TBS)

1 Onion

1 Red Pepper

1 Green Pepper

Can of Sliced Water Chestnuts

Can of Sliced Pineapple

Candy Thermometer (take temperature of oil)

Deep Sauce Pan

Wok

White Rice (bag)

Steps:

1. Remove and discard the solid wing covering flaps, all legs, and head of each cockroach.

2. Prepare the oil by placing about a ¼ of an inch of oil on the bottom of the pan and heating the oil to ~125 C

3. “Carefully” put a whole cockroach into a pot of heated oil and quickly fry for 15 seconds. Remove roach and place

on plate with a paper towel. Repeat.

4. Begin making the rice separately according to directions on bag.

5. Add 4 TBS of oil into a wok and heat.

6. Add salt, MSG, and corn starch for about 5 minutes

7. Put all vegetables and fruit into it to stir fry for 5 minutes.

8. Place the roaches, vegetables and fruits onto a bed of white rice.

Mealworm Chocolate Chip Cookies

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup white sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 cup oats
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup mealworms “flour” (grounded mealworms)

Cream butter well, and then mix in sugar, egg, vanilla flour, salt, baking soda, chocolate chips, oats, and mealworm “flour”. Drop batter by the teaspoonful on a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 10 minutes at 375 degrees Fahrenheit

Chocolate Chirp-ie Chip Cookies

2-1/4 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
1 cup butter, softened
3/4 cup white granulated sugar

3/4 cup brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
1 12 oz bag chocolate chips
1 cup chopped nuts
1/2 cup dry roasted crickets

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. In a small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside. In large bowl, combine butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar, and vanilla; beat until creamy. Beat in eggs. Gradually add flour mixture and insects; mix well. Stir in chocolate chips. Drop by rounded measuring teaspoonfuls onto un-greased cookie sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes.

Insect Crunch

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup honey
Big Bowl of Popcorn
1 cup roasted insects

Slowly heat butter and honey and mix well. Mix the insects with the popcorn and pour in the butter/honey mixture and stir well. Spread this out on a cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes. Cut onto small pieces and serve.

Eating Stir-Fry Cockroach