Food & Receipts

The Ultimate Guide to Cooking Shrimp: A Delicious, No-Fuss Feast

With this simple shrimp cooking method, you'll be able to enjoy a dish that's not only delicious but also visually appealing with its bright red shrimp. It's a must-know for anyone who wants to impress.

Administrator

26 July, 2024

**Ingredients for Steamed Shrimp:**

– 500g fresh shrimp
– 2 slices of ginger
– 20ml white wine
– 20ml soy sauce
– Fragrant vinegar

**How to Steam Delicious Shrimp:**

Step 1: Clean and prepare the fresh shrimp.

Step 2: Pour water into a pot and add the ginger, white wine, and salt. Place the prepared shrimp into the pot and cook over high heat. Do this until the shrimp curl and turn pinkish-red, which indicates doneness. This should take about 3-5 minutes after the water comes to a boil.

Step 3: Remove the shrimp from the pot and plunge them into ice-cold water for about 10 seconds to firm up the meat. Then, drain and serve with a dipping sauce made of salt, pepper, lime juice, and mustard.

**How to Get Rid of the Fishy Smell Before Steaming:**

To ensure your steamed shrimp are not only delicious but also free from any fishy odor, marinate them in white wine after cleaning. For every 500g of shrimp, use half a cup of white wine and marinate for about 10 minutes. This process helps eliminate any remaining odor, resulting in sweeter and tenderer shrimp meat.

Additionally, to achieve that desirable reddish hue, boil the shrimp in warm water instead of starting with cold water, as the latter tends to make them less appetizing and dries them out. Boil some water with ginger and lightly crushed lemongrass to infuse flavor.

For an even more aromatic dish, turn off the heat and let the water cool down a bit before adding the shrimp. Also, add a spoonful of sesame oil to the pot; this will give the shrimp shells a vibrant red color. Boil for about 2-3 minutes, just enough for the shrimp to curl and turn reddish-pink, then remove them from the pot.

Plunge the shrimp into ice water for a moment, then drain and let them air dry before arranging them on a plate. Avoid placing the shrimp directly on a plate after cooking, as the residual water can make them soft and mushy.

For a truly mouthwatering experience, serve the steamed shrimp hot with a dipping sauce made of lime juice, chili, and fish sauce. Bon appétit!

Frequently asked questions

The best way to cook shrimp is by pan-frying or grilling. Boiling and steaming are also popular methods, but they can make the shrimp rubbery if overcooked. When pan-frying, use a small amount of butter or oil and cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side over medium-high heat. For grilling, thread the shrimp onto skewers and cook for 3-4 minutes per side over medium heat.

Shrimp will turn from grey to pink/red when cooked. The flesh will also become opaque and slightly firm to the touch. Overcooked shrimp will become rubbery and tough, so it’s important to remove them from the heat as soon as they turn opaque.

It is not necessary to peel and devein shrimp before cooking, but it is generally preferred. Peeling and deveining can be a tedious task, but it ensures that the shrimp are clean and safe to eat. It also makes the shrimp easier to eat, especially when using smaller shrimp.

Shrimp goes well with a variety of side dishes, such as rice, quinoa, roasted vegetables, salads, and garlic bread. For a heartier meal, you can also serve shrimp with pasta or in a sandwich.

Yes, you can freeze cooked shrimp. It is best to freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet first, then transfer them to a freezer-safe container once they are frozen solid. They will stay fresh in the freezer for up to 3 months.