how does one prepare shrimp?

Question

I am allergic to seafood so have never prepared any of it... however my husband loves shrimp i have the cocktail sauce, however i do not know what to do with the shrimp. do i need to remove the tails, shells, or veins? does the shrimp need to be cooked, if so how? i am oblivious please help me!!!

Answer 1

First if you are allergic to shrimp you may want to wear plastic gloves while handling the shrimp. Also it makes for easier clean up. Try these tips:

Peel & Eat Shrimp - you don't have to peel or devien the shrimp. In a large pot add one bottle of beer and bring to a boil. Using one of those fold out metal steamer trays insert that into the pot. Place the shrimp in a ziploc bag with Old Bay seasoning and shake well to coat. Place the shrimp on the tray, cover and steam approximately 5 minutes or until they are pink and semi-tender to the touch. Serve w/ cocktail sauce.

Saute - remove shells and using a paring knife or any knife you have a good grip with, make a slice along the backside of the shrimp about 1/4" deep and remove the dark vien. In a saute pan, heat 2Tbs. butter and olive oil (you get the taste of butter but the high temp cooking of olive oil) over medium heat. Add one clove garlic, minced and saute for 30-60 seconds. You don't want to burn the garlic, just sweat the flavor out of it. Season shrimp with kosher salt, fresh black pepper and place in pan for 2-3 minutes on one side. Flip the shrimp over and add the juice of 1/2 lemon and 1/4 cup white wine (any wine you'd drink) and continue cooking for 2-3 minutes. Serve immediately.

Roasted - same method to peel and devien shrimp. On a baking sheet, toss shrimp w/ olive oil, salt and pepper. Roast in 400 degree oven for 5-7 minutes. Remove from oven, squeeze lemon juice over top and serve immediately.

I hope these helped.

Answer 2

Yep, you need to remove the shells and veins before cooking -- taking the tails off is optional, and I usually don't.

Run a thin metal skewer all the way under the shell from the tail to where the head used to be. Pop the shell off, and use another skewer or toothpick to remove the dark line, which is the intestinal vein.

When you're done, plop the shrimp into a pot of boiling water and cook until they turn pink. Take them off the heat quickly and run under cool water to stop the cooking process. Overcooking shrimp turns them into little pink erasers that are too tough to eat.

Drain them well, and chill. Serve to your hubby with cocktail sauce and some sliced lemon.

Edit:

The person above has a very good point about allergies being triggered by contact. Have your antihistamines handy, wear gloves, and don't breathe the steam from the cooking water.

It might be a better idea to let hubby follow these instructions and cook his own shrimp. :)

Answer 3

Remove the shells and veins. If you have a steamer insert, steam over boiling water just until pink-usually about 2-3 minutes. If not, just boil in very little water the same length of time. I wanted to warn you-some severe allergies can be triggered just by contact, so you may want to wear gloves. Or show hubby how to do it himself!

Answer 4

frist of all if you are allergic to shrimp you better be careful how you handle them,an way you deshell them and devein them also, steam your shrimp leaving the tails on if he like them that way.And serve them around a cocktails glass or cocktail bowel with cocktail sauce and lemon rings.

Answer 5

Since your allergic to them...when you buy them at the store, at the seafood department....ask them to steam them for you, most stores offer this service...alot them will put the Old Bay seasoning on for you...and it doesn't cost any extra...and you don't have to do a thing!!! And your husband will love them!