To cook delicious boiled shrimp, you need good ingredients. When buying shrimp, look at the shell. Fresh seafood shrimp usually have a greenish-white shell, while males have a pale yellow shell. The shell should be bright and clear. The head and legs should be firmly attached to the body.

When buying frozen shrimp, choose those that are curved. This indicates that the shrimp were alive before freezing. Shrimp that are no longer fresh when frozen will often have a straight body as they no longer have the strength to curl.

To achieve a bright red color, firm texture, and eliminate any fishy smell from your boiled shrimp, you can add a few ingredients to the boiling water. Here is a simple and effective tip:

Boil Shrimp with Pandanus Leaves for a Bright Red Color and to Eliminate Fishy Smell

Ingredients:

  • 10 fresh shrimp (sea or tiger shrimp)
  • 2-3 fresh pandanus leaves
  • A pinch of salt
  • Water

Instructions:

  • Prepare the Shrimp: Rinse the shrimp under cold water. You may remove the heads if desired.

  • Prepare the Pandanus Leaves: Rinse the pandanus leaves and cut them into small pieces.

  • Boil the Shrimp:

    • Fill a pot with enough water to cover the shrimp.
    • Add the pandanus leaves to the water. Not only will they give the shrimp a bright red color, but they will also reduce any fishy smell and impart a subtle flavor to the cooking water.
    • Bring the water to a boil. Once it starts boiling, add the shrimp.
    • Maintain a medium heat and boil the shrimp until they turn bright red and are cooked through. The cooking time will depend on the size of the shrimp, usually between 3-5 minutes.

Add These Leaves to Your Shrimp Boil: 10 Shrimp, All Sweet and Perfectly Red, No Fishy Smell

Instructions:

  • Prepare the shrimp:

    • Rinse the shrimp under cold water and use a brush to scrub the shells clean.
    • If desired, you may cut off the shrimp’s whiskers and legs for a neater appearance.
  • Prepare the pandanus leaves:

    • Rinse the pandanus leaves and tie them into a small bundle or cut into sections approximately 10-15 cm long.
  • 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 pandanus 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. Cook for about 3-5 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp.
    • The shrimp are done when they turn bright red and the flesh becomes firm. Do not overcook, as this will make the shrimp tough.
  • Finish:

    • Once the shrimp are cooked, remove them from the pot 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.
    • Drain the shrimp and arrange them on a plate, garnished with pandanus leaves or fresh herbs.

Add These Leaves to Your Shrimp Boil: 10 Shrimp, All Sweet and Perfectly Red, No Fishy Smell

  • To enhance the red color of the shrimp, you can add a little sugar to the boiling water.
  • Serve the shrimp with a dip made from lime or salted chili pepper to elevate the flavors.
  • Choose fresh shrimp: Opt for live or very fresh shrimp with shiny shells and firm flesh. Fresh shrimp will retain their natural sweetness after boiling.

  • Do not overboil: Boil the shrimp for only 2-3 minutes after the water comes to a rolling boil. Once the shrimp turn bright red and curl, they are done. Overboiling will make them dry and less sweet.
  • Add a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lime: During boiling, add a pinch of salt and a few slices of lime to the pot to enhance the flavor and keep the shrimp firm.
  • Plunge the shrimp into iced water after boiling: Immediately after removing the shrimp from the boiling water, immerse them in a bowl of iced water for 1-2 minutes to maintain their crispness, springiness, and ease of peeling.
  • Do not stir the pot: Avoid stirring or agitating the pot too much during boiling to keep the shrimp shells intact and prevent them from breaking.

Enjoy your delicious boiled shrimp!

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