Why you should make langoustines with herb butter
This langoustines with herb butter dish is incredibly quick to make because the seafood cooks in just a few minutes. Using fresh garlic and parsley adds a bright flavour that balances the richness of the butter perfectly. It feels like a restaurant quality meal but requires very little effort in the kitchen. Most of the work is just preparing the shellfish before they hit the heat.
Follow these 4 steps for langoustines with herb butter
Prepare the butter: Soften the butter in a small bowl and mix in finely chopped garlic and parsley. Add a squeeze of lemon juice and a pinch of salt to the mixture. Stir everything together until it is smooth and well combined. Set the herb butter aside while you prepare the seafood.
Prepare the langoustines: Place each of the langoustines on a cutting board and cut them in half lengthways using a sharp knife. Remove the dark intestinal tract if it is visible. Rinse them quickly under cold water and pat them dry with a clean towel. This step ensures that the langoustines with herb butter cook evenly.
Cook the seafood: Heat a large frying pan over medium heat and add half of the herb butter. Place the langoustines in the pan with the flesh side down first. Fry them for about two minutes until the meat turns opaque. Turn them over and add the remaining butter to the pan.
Finish and serve: Spoon the melting butter over the meat as it finishes cooking for another minute. Once they are hot through and the shells have turned bright orange, remove the pan from the heat. Serve the langoustines with herb butter immediately with extra lemon wedges on the side.
Tips to make langoustines with herb butter even better
Always try to buy the freshest shellfish available for the best texture and flavour. If you are using frozen ones, make sure they are completely thawed and dried before you start cooking. You can also cook langoustines with herb butter under a hot grill instead of using a frying pan.
Simply place them on a tray and grill for about five minutes until the butter is bubbling. Be careful not to overcook them as the meat can become tough if left on the heat for too long. Adding a splash of white wine to the pan can create an even richer sauce. Serve with crusty bread to soak up all the delicious herb butter from the plate.
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