Boiling shrimp is a simple and easy dish to prepare, but to get that perfect bright red color and firm, sweet meat, you need to know the right preparation techniques. First and foremost, choosing fresh ingredients is essential. When buying shrimp, pay attention to the color of the shell: fresh seawater shrimp usually have greenish-white shells, while male shrimp tend to have pale yellow shells. The shell should be shiny and transparent, and the head and legs should be firmly attached to the body.
Preparing the shrimp before boiling
When buying frozen shrimp, choose the ones that are curved, as these are usually still alive before freezing. Straight-bodied shrimp have usually lost their freshness, with their bodies stretched out due to a lack of vitality.
To get that vibrant red color and firm texture in your boiled shrimp, and to avoid any fishy taste, you can add a few ingredients to the boiling water. Here’s a simple and effective tip to achieve the best-tasting boiled shrimp:
Boil shrimp with pandan leaves for a brighter red color, firmer texture, and delicious flavor
Ingredients:
– 10 fresh shrimp (large shrimp or seawater shrimp)
– 2-3 fresh pandan leaves
– A pinch of salt
Water
Instructions:
Prepare the shrimp: Rinse the shrimp thoroughly under cold water. If you prefer not to use the heads, feel free to remove them.
Prepare the pandan leaves: Wash the pandan leaves, then cut them into short lengths.
Boil the shrimp: Fill a pot with just enough water to submerge the shrimp. Add the pandan leaves to the water.
Not only do pandan leaves give the shrimp a vibrant red color, but they also help eliminate any fishy odor and impart a subtle fragrance to the cooking water.
Bring the water to a boil, then add the shrimp. Boil the shrimp over medium heat until they turn bright red and are cooked through, usually 3-5 minutes depending on their size. Shrimp boiled with pandan leaves will have a beautiful color, firmer texture, and enhanced flavor.
How to Make Perfectly Boiled Shrimp with Pandan Leaves for a Bright Red Color and Delicious Taste
Prepare the shrimp
Rinse the shrimp thoroughly under cold water, and feel free to use a brush to clean the shells. If desired, you can cut off the whiskers and legs for a neater presentation. To achieve a beautiful red color, you can add a little sugar to the boiling water.
Prepare the pandan leaves:
Wash the pandan leaves, then tie them into a small bundle or cut them into lengths of about 10-15 cm.
Prepare the boiling water:
Bring 1-2 liters of water to a boil in a large pot. Add 1-2 tablespoons of salt and the pandan leaves to the boiling water. The salted water will enhance the sweetness and flavor of the shrimp.
Boil the shrimp:
When the water comes to a boil, add the shrimp and cook for 3-5 minutes, depending on their size. The shrimp are done when they turn bright red and the meat becomes firm. Be careful not to overcook the shrimp, as they can become tough.
Final steps:
Once the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the pot immediately and plunge them into a bowl of cold water to stop the cooking process. This will help the shrimp stay crisp and retain their color. Then, drain the shrimp and arrange them on a plate. You can garnish with pandan leaves or fresh herbs.
To enhance the red color of the shrimp, you can add a little sugar to the boiling water. Serve the shrimp with lemon or pepper salt to enhance their flavor. Good luck, and enjoy your delicious and visually appealing boiled shrimp!
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