Anyone know anything about langoustine?

[Vyse]

Looking to get some for the Christmas period as a bit of a treat. Ive seen some that are said to be about 150g each. How big is a 150g langoustine and what is a good price for them? Ive eaten lobster in the past, some people say langoustines are even better as you dont get that chewy texture you get with lobsters. Is this true?

Thanks

[jet_noise]

Vyse said:

Looking to get some for the Christmas period as a bit of a treat. Ive seen some that are said to be about 150g each. How big is a 150g langoustine and what is a good price for them? Ive eaten lobster in the past, some people say langoustines are even better as you dont get that chewy texture you get with lobsters. Is this true?

Thanks

Depends how you cook 'em. If overcooked then chewy! Can't say what is a good price. I buy them rarely so it's a treat.
Get them fresh of you can. Live are even better. Depends where you are in the country.

My last meal would be langoustines at the Applecross Inn

regards,
Jet

[Tickle]

Vyse said:

Looking to get some for the Christmas period as a bit of a treat. Ive seen some that are said to be about 150g each. How big is a 150g langoustine and what is a good price for them? Ive eaten lobster in the past, some people say langoustines are even better as you dont get that chewy texture you get with lobsters. Is this true?

Thanks

I have had whole langoustines in a Paella, very nice.

I would image you have had the meat from them before though, Scampi is langoustine.

Note: whether or not any actual langoustine meat is in scampi sold is up for debate!

[Ritchie335is]

Tickle said:

Vyse said:

Looking to get some for the Christmas period as a bit of a treat. Ive seen some that are said to be about 150g each. How big is a 150g langoustine and what is a good price for them? Ive eaten lobster in the past, some people say langoustines are even better as you dont get that chewy texture you get with lobsters. Is this true?

Thanks

I have had whole langoustines in a Paella, very nice.

I would image you have had the meat from them before though, Scampi is langoustine.

Note: whether or not any actual langoustine meat is in scampi sold is up for debate!

99% of Scampi is Monkfish tail, which is nice in it's own right.
Langoustine/Dublin bay prawns/Prawns all the same shellfish are lovely. I was brought up on them as my father used to trawl for them.
Just don't over cook them, drop into fast boiling water for 1 or two minutes, squeeze of lemon, Perfect.

[Vyse]

Yeah, I'd only ever buy live ones. Frozen just don't compare.

[Mobile Chicane]

I love them, however I can tell you that (freshwater) American Signal Crayfish are just as good when prepared right, moreover, free.

[Ritchie335is]

Mobile Chicane said:

I love them, however I can tell you that (freshwater) American Signal Crayfish are just as good when prepared right, moreover, free.

I keep meaning to go on the hunt for these.
I remember there was a thread a few years back all, all about the licencing hassle.

[DUMBO100]

Prepare them properly! I love langoustine but there's nothing nice about a lazy chef that leaves the st tract in them

[Russwhitehouse]

Lot of money for very little meat on my opinion. Tasty if prepared properly nonetheless. Over cooking is the death knell and it turns on a dime!

[Bill]

Ritchie335is said:

99% of Scampi is Monkfish tail, which is nice in it's own right.

These days? It used to be, but I thought these days monkfish prices had risen due to popularity.

[calibrax]

Bill said:

Ritchie335is said:

99% of Scampi is Monkfish tail, which is nice in it's own right.

These days? It used to be, but I thought these days monkfish prices had risen due to popularity.

It's actually illegal to sell monkfish as scampi, and has been for many years.

[FredericRobinson]

There's plenty of room for skulldugery in seafood, particularly in selling cheap species as cod or haddock, monkfish as scampi is very 1970's though there's not the incentive given the value of monk.

[jfbrin]

Well worth trying and buy fresh to cook yourself or at least freshly cooked. Once frozen, they lose flavour.
The large ones are very expensive but the small ones are too fiddly. I prefer them cold with crab meat, fresh french bread, and a good mayo. One of life's true indulgences.