FEATURE RECIPE
Balmain bugs poached in Pernod butter

Balmain bugs poached in Pernod butter

Serves 4

Cooking Time Prep time 20 mins, cook 15 mins



500 gm   butter, coarsely chopped
40 ml   Pernod
3   golden shallots, thinly sliced
1   baby fennel bulb, thinly sliced using a mandolin
4   Balmain bug tails, removed from shells (about 120gm each)
Witlof and fennel salad
50 ml   olive oil
1 tbsp   white wine vinegar
1 tsp   Pernod
2 tsp   fennel seeds, roasted and coarsely crushed
2   white witlof, leaves separated
1   baby fennel bulb, thinly sliced using a mandolin (fronds reserved)


1 Gently melt butter in a deep-sided frying pan over low heat. Add Pernod, shallot and fennel, season to taste and cook until vegetables are tender (7-8 minutes). Add bug tails in a single layer and poach gently until pink and cooked through (4-5 minutes). Don’t let butter boil or bug tails will become tough.
2 Meanwhile, for witlof and fennel salad, whisk together olive oil, vinegar and Pernod in a bowl and season to taste. Add fennel seeds, witlof and fennel and toss lightly to coat. Serve tails drizzled with a little poaching butter and salad to the side, scattered with fennel fronds.


Drink Suggestion Alsace gewürtztraminer.

RECIPE Emma Knowles PHOTOGRAPHY William Meppem STYLING Emma Knowles DRINK SUGGESTION Max Allen


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