In addition to their delicious taste, shrimp are extremely quick to prepare. It is, therefore, perfect food to bring a touch of exotic flavours to your weekly meals. But fast does not mean easy. It is often easy to overcook shrimp. No matter how you like to taste them, here are 9 ways to cook your shrimp and make them perfectly every time.
1. Choose your shrimp carefully
For a successful shellfish meal, it all starts at the fish store. If the arrival of shrimp is very recent, buy them fresh. Otherwise, choose their frozen version as they have a very short storage period. Also, make sure to thaw your shrimp thoroughly before cooking. Finally, fresh or frozen, soak them in a bowl of salted water for about an hour.
2. Boiled
The secret to perfectly cooking shrimp in water is not to boil them. The ideal temperature for the cooking water is about 170 degrees, while it boils at 212 degrees. Remember to rinse the shrimp under cold water after draining them to stop cooking.
3. Sautéed
Shrimp and this method of preparation is ideal for busy evenings. All you have to do is to get rid of the shells, add some seasonings and a little olive oil in a frying pan and stay on the lookout. These will be ready in just a few minutes, when they have become opaque.
4. On the grill
Grilling is one of the most delicious methods of preparing shrimp. But it is also one of the easiest ways to overcook them. Put your oiled and seasoned shrimp on a hot grill and remove them as soon as they are no longer transparent and their skin turns pink.
5. Fried
To make some shrimp-based meals such as the southern United States flavoured combo, first shuck your shellfish. Then fry them in leftover bacon fat. When they turn pink, add the rest of your food and cook for about 3 more minutes.
6. Roasted
For perfect roasted shrimp, as well as a delicious meal ready in no time at all, put them in the oven! Place your shucked and seasoned shrimp on a greased baking sheet. Then cook them at 400 degrees for 6 to 8 minutes.
7. In a soup
For shrimp soup recipes such as chowder, gombo or other, the ideal cooking method varies little. Whether you are preparing your meal on the stove or in the slow cooker, simply follow your recipe, add the shrimp to the mixture about 30 minutes before the end of cooking and simmer.
8. Breaded
Change it up from typical breaded chicken and enjoy these crispy shrimp. After dipping your shucked shrimp in the breadcrumb mixture, place them in boiling oil a few times until they turn a nice golden colour.
9. In a ceviche
If you get your hands on very fresh shrimp on a beautiful summer day, make it a ceviche. After shucking them, place them for 1 minute in boiling water and immediately transfer them to ice water to cool. Then, drain them, cut them and let them rest in lime, lemon or orange juice for 2 hours. Then add the other ingredients and wait for an additional 2 hours before savouring your fresh meal.
