Create the real deal — Homemade Lobster Bisque
Langostino Bites & Recipes
Create a memorable Thanksgiving or Christmas meal for friends and family.
By Annette M. Hall
While out grocery shopping a couple of weeks ago I was picking up some crab salad from our local store and noticed an item in the seafood display I was not familiar with — Langostino Meat. It appeared to be small melon-ball sized pieces of lobster.
I checked with the seafood clerk and found that it was sold as a cheaper alternative to lobster. We normally pay around $30.00 a pound for lobster tails and at $12.99 a pound, the Langostino Meat was definitely a bargain. The best part was, it was sold in bite-sized morsels and was already shelled.
Thinking it was too good to be true, we picked up half a pound. I prepared the Langostino in a mixture of butter and garlic, allowing it to cook for a couple of minutes, then served it with vegetables. It was absolutely delicious. While it didn't taste exactly like lobster, it was so close; few people would ever be able to tell the difference. The tender Langostino Meat would be succulent served in lobster bisque or seafood chowder.
Our family enjoyed them so much that we went back and bought 2 pounds the following week. I plan to serve them over the holidays in my seafood chowder.
Still not quite understanding exactly what a Langostino is, I started searching online, only to find that there is no consensus as to exactly what they are. Even the FDA has two classifications for them.
Long John Silver's Offers Buttered Lobster Bites
When Long John Silver's announced the addition of Buttered Lobster Bites, made with langostino lobster to their menu. While langostino may taste like lobster, it's technically not a lobster but at least Long John Silver's didn't try to pass of this less expensive imitation for the real thing. They are now called Langostino Lobster Bites.
With the newfound popularity of langostino meat, lobster loving restaurant goers will want to be cautious when ordering, to be sure they get what they pay for. When you order a dish made with lobster and you are paying the price for lobster, you don't want to be served a substitute.
On the other hand what a wonderful alternative to those boring holiday dishes that are served year after year. Now you can serve delicious lobster dishes at less than half the cost, which means you won't have to skimp on the meat.
Mock Lobster Bisque
This delicious Langostino Bisque recipe is a wonderful lobster alternative, your guests will love, no matter what name you call it by.
Ingredients List:
- 1 ½ pounds langostino meat
- 1/3 cup dry sherry
- 1/4 cup butter
- 3 tablespoons flour
- 3 cups milk
- 1 teaspoon steak sauce
- Sea salt (to taste)
- Pepper (to taste)
- Seasoned salt (to taste)
Preparation Guide:
In a small bowl, combine langostino meat and sherry; set aside.
In a medium saucepan melt butter over low heat. Blend in flour and cook, stirring constantly, until smooth and bubbly. Gradually add milk, stirring constantly.
Continue cooking and stirring until mixture is thickened; stir in steak sauce, sea salt, pepper, and seasoned salt to taste. Add langostino meat and sherry mixture; cover and simmer your mock lobster bisque for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Makes 4 cups of mock lobster bisque.
Another delicious recipe to try with Langostino is this Mock Lobster Newburg recipe.
Mock Lobster Newburg
This Langostino Newburg is made with half-and-half, sherry, cooked langostino meat, and butter.
Ingredients List:
- 2 cups cooked langostino meat
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Dash of cayenne pepper
- 3 tablespoons dry sherry
- 3 egg yolks, lightly beaten
- 1 cup half-and-half
- Buttered toast, bread round or pastry shells
Preparation Instructions:
In a medium saucepan over low heat, heat langostino in the butter for 2 to 3 minutes. Add salt, cayenne pepper, and sherry. Mix beaten egg yolks with the half-and-half and add to langostino meat. Cook, stirring constantly, until Langostino Newburg is thickened and heated through, but do not bring to a boil.
Serve Langostino Newburg over buttered toast, with bread round or pastry shells. Langostino Newburg recipe serves 4.
Reader Mail Bag
Where to Buy Langostino Meat
I have been searching for months for information on langostino lobster bites and found your article.
Can you please advise where these can be purchased online?
A friend gave me a bag of these a few months ago and we fell in love with them and have not been able to find them since and her husband has not been able to locate more either.
Please advise,
Donna
Dear Donna,
Our local Savemart carries Langostino Meat in the Seafood Department most of the year. There does seem to be a few dry months when they are not available. However, since they come in frozen, they do carry them most of the time. If you don't see them, do ask your Seafood Manager to order some. You can search for your local Savemart at the link below. You might also consider asking at your local market, or try ordering them from Seatech Corporation or Stavis Seafoods, if you don't have a Savemart in your area.
Langostino Information
- Trader Joe's
Find a Trader Joe's near you.- Savemart Supermarkets
(Available in the Seafood Department)- Seatech Corporation
14500 141st Ave SE
Snohomish, WA 98290
Phone: (360) 863-8003 to order- Stavis Seafoods
212 Northern Avenue, Suite 305
Boston, MA 02210
Call: (800) 390-5103 to order
Learn More About Crustaceans
Updated October 27, 2009
