Introduction: Rice Crispy Critter Treats

About: I'm a total gearhead. I love working on cars, airplanes, rockets, sailboats, whatever. Cars i've owned and/or rebuilt: 1966 Pontiac Grand Prix, 1977 Lotus Esprit, 1979 Fiat X1/9 & Strada, 1970 Ford Bronco, …

My colleague, Fran, and I have been dabbling in entomophagy, ie the eating of insects.   

For Halloween, we updated the classic rice crispie treats recipe with roasted mealy worms, which have a nutty flavor and same texture as the crispy rice.

Mealy worms, eaten raw or roasted, are very nutritious and high in protein and fat .

If you want to learn more about the health benefits of eating insects check out the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations report entitled "Edible Insects - Future prospects for food and feed security". 

http://www.fao.org/docrep/018/i3253e/i3253e.pdf

Step 1: Buy Some Live Mealy Worms

Rainbow Mealworms Inc. has been supplying live insects to pet stores and fish tackle shops since 1956!

They're also the supplier for all the insects eaten on the show Fear Factor!

Check them out at http://www.rainbowmealworms.net/

Other suppliers of live insects
http://www.flukerfarms.com/
http://www.kenthebugguy.com/

http://www.timberlinefisheries.com/
http://www.grubco.com/
http://www.bcrcricket.com/
http://www.sdwaxworms.com/


Cooked insects
http://www.thailandunique.com/
http://chapul.com/

http://importfood.com/thai_insects.html
http://buggrub.com/

Step 2: Ingredients

6 cups of crispy rice  (any brand will work)
1 10oz package of marshmallows
3 tablespoons butter or margarine (not shown)
1 pint Live Mealy Worms

Step 3: Prepare Live Mealy Worms

Empty the pint of mealy worms into a sieve and rinse thoroughly.  

Remove any fragments and dead worms.

Next pour them on some paper towels and tap them dry.  

Place them in a container and put them in the freezer for about 15 minutes, which will kill the worms. (DO NOT FREEZE)

Step 4: Roast the Mealy Worms

After removing from freezer, spread the mealworms out evenly on a non stick cookie sheet. 

Then bake in oven at 200 degrees for one to two hours until they are dry and crispy.

Step 5: Mix Ingredients

After mealy worms have been roasted, melt the butter in a large saucepan over low heat.

Add marshmallows and stir until completely melted.

Remove from heat. 

Add crispy rice and stir until well coated.

Then add all the roasted mealy worms and stir again until everything is well mixed.

Step 6: Final Preparation

Spoon mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray and spread evenly with a spatula.

Cool.

Cut into  squares. 

Step 7: Fran Enjoying Her First Rice Crispy Critter Treat!

The mealy worm has a nice nutty flavor which complemented the classic rice krispie treat.

These were a hit at our company.  

Enjoy!
Sabri & Fran

Halloween Food Contest

Participated in the
Halloween Food Contest