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Boiling shrimp: the secret to perfectly tender and flavorful shrimp

When boiling shrimp, many people are unsure of the best time to put the shrimp in the pot to ensure they don't become mushy and remain firm.

Administrator

16 March, 2024

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Surely, shrimp is always a favorite dish for many people. Not only does it have a delicious and tempting taste that captivates people’s hearts, but it is also known for its nutrition and health benefits. With its delicious taste and versatile processing, shrimp is always an excellent choice for enjoying with friends and family.

However, to have tender, sweet, and appealingly cooked shrimp, you need to understand the basic steps and techniques, including selecting good ingredients, handling shrimp cleanly, and controlling the temperature when boiling.

How to choose delicious shrimp

First of all, the selection of ingredients requires special attention. For shrimp, only fresh ones should be chosen to ensure the best taste when boiling. Shrimp should have a bright color and a little green, while their surfaces should be shiny, especially when exposed to sunlight.

Under sunlight, shrimp remains transparent and shiny. Fresh shrimp are usually flexible and strong; you can feel their elasticity when holding them. If the shrimp has a fishy smell or signs of spoilage, do not buy them.

How to process shrimp

Next, the process of handling shrimp needs to be done with careful hygiene. Place the shrimp in clean water and soak for a while. Use your hands to gently wash the shrimp’s surface to remove dirt, then rinse several times to ensure cleanliness.

By doing this, we can effectively prevent food contamination and ensure food safety. Next, process the shrimp by removing the intestines and leaving only the shrimp meat to minimize the fishy smell.

Why should you put the shrimp into hot water?

Finally, adjusting the water temperature during the shrimp processing is very important. Using water that is too hot or too cold can affect the taste and retain the nutritional value of the dish.

Based on the experience of chefs with many years of experience, it is recommended to use hot water to boil shrimp. Heat the pot, add a little cooking oil, stir-fry ginger and scallions, then add a little red or white wine, and then pour in water.

During the boiling process, using ginger and cooking oil is essential; they can effectively remove the fishy smell of shrimp, while the cooking oil helps the shrimp maintain a fresher color. Continue boiling until small bubbles appear at the bottom of the pot. The temperature of the pot at this time is around 85-90 degrees Celsius, which is suitable for putting the shrimp in without waiting for the water to boil completely.

However, it should be noted that the cooking time for each type of food is different, and the cooking time needs to be adjusted accordingly depending on the size of the shrimp.

Combining simple seasonings and sauces will enhance the flavor of the shrimp. For example, mix soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and minced garlic to create a unique and delicious side dish.

Frequently asked questions

Soak the shrimp in clean water, then gently wash their surfaces with your hands to remove any dirt or impurities. Rinse them several times to ensure they are thoroughly cleaned. Next, remove the intestines and leave only the shrimp meat to reduce any unwanted fishy smell.

Using hot water is recommended by experienced chefs as it helps retain the shrimp’s nutritional value and enhances its flavor. Boiling shrimp in water that is too hot or too cold can negatively impact the taste. The ideal temperature for cooking shrimp is between 85-90 degrees Celsius, which can be achieved by heating oil, stir-frying ginger and scallions, adding wine, and then pouring in the water.

During the boiling process, always use ginger and cooking oil to eliminate any fishy smell and to maintain the shrimp’s fresh color. Keep boiling until small bubbles appear at the bottom of the pot, indicating the ideal temperature for adding the shrimp. Adjust the cooking time based on the size of the shrimp and your desired level of doneness.

Create a delicious side dish by mixing soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and minced garlic. This combination of simple seasonings and sauces will elevate the natural flavor of the shrimp.