Sometimes served as hors d’oeuvres, an appetizer and even an entrée, frogs' legs are relatively easy French food to prepare. While the popular description of the flavor of tasting just like chicken is not really true, frogs' legs do have a great flavor that can be enhanced with several different preparation methods. Here are a few examples of how to prepare frogs' legs quickly and easily.
It is true that the only edible portion of the frog happens to be the legs. Fortunately, it is not necessary to go out and capture your own frogs and process them for cooking. Many upscale food markets and similar outlets will offer frogs' legs that have already been cleaned and are ready for use. All you have to do is determine how you want to use them.
One popular method from French cuisine is to sauté the frogs' legs in a mixture of olive oil and your favorite spices. You can choose to go hot with the spices, using cayenne and other red peppers. Otherwise, you may choose to go with something lighter, such as fresh parsley, rosemary, or dill weed. Sautéing the frogs' legs will help to keep the meat tender, while adding the spices of your choice will help to enhance the natural flavor while still adding a little bit of interest to the taste.
Another popular method is to batter and fry the frogs' legs. Wash the frogs' legs then roll them in flour that has been infused with salt and pepper. Dip the floured legs into an egg batter, then place them in hot oil. The meat on frogs' legs will cook just as chicken cooks when frying, and the crispy coating on the exterior will add another level of both visual interest as well as taste to the legs. Many seafood restaurants will serve fried frogs' legs along with fried shrimp, crab, and fish filets.
A third approach is to broil the frogs' legs, using essentially the same methods as used with a fish filet. Preheat the oven to the desired temperature. On a shallow pan, place a piece of aluminum foil large enough to accommodate the frogs' legs. Lay the frogs' legs out on the foil, then add lemon slices, lemon juice, hot sauce and spices of your choice. Fold the aluminum foil over and seal, making a pocket for the frogs' legs. Slide the pan into the oven and set the timer. The end result will be tasty and tender frogs' legs that have as appealing a presentation as they do flavor.
