Are insects the new superfood? Maybe. Mealworms are packed with protein and easy to cook. But how? AJ+ met up with Katharina Unger, CEO of LIVIN Farms Hive, a company that makes devices to help you grow mealworms at home.
Here are some of her favorite recipes and tips.
Mealworm salad (Serves 2)
INGREDIENTS:
1/2 onions (chopped)
2 avocados (chopped)
1/3 cup feta cheese
1/3 cup coriander (chopped)
1 can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup frozen mealworms
2 tablespoons olive oil
Salt and black pepper, to taste
DIRECTIONS:
- Boil mealworms for a few minutes until soft.
- In a medium bowl, combine chopped onions, avocados, feta cheese, coriander, chickpeas, olive oil and lime juice.
- Drain boiled mealworms and roast without any oil. Add salt to taste.
- Mix mealworms with salad.
Dumplings (Serves 2)
INGREDIENTS
1/2 cup frozen mealworms
1 small onion (chopped)
1 garlic clove (chopped)
1 cup chickpeas
3 tablespoons breadcrumbs
3 tablespoons flour
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons parsley (chopped)
salt and pepper
Vegetable oil
1/2 lemon
INGREDIENTS FOR DIPPING SAUCE:
1/2 cup of creme fraiche
1/2 cup of yogurt
1/2 cucumber (finely chopped)
1 tablespoon mustard
salt and pepper
DIRECTIONS:
- Boil mealworms for a few minutes. Drain.
- Roast mealworms with garlic and onion until crisp.
- Blend roasted mealworms with chickpeas.
- Add breadcrumbs, flour, a splash of milk and one egg to the mealworm mixture.
- Add chopped parsley, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
- Roll the mixture into golf-sized balls and fry them in hot vegetable oil until golden brown.
- Serve with dipping sauce.
DIRECTIONS FOR DIPPING SAUCE:
- Mix creme fraiche with yogurt.
- Add chopped cucumber, mustard, salt and pepper.
