Food - Drink
Common Mistakes Everyone Makes With Shrimp
By BRIAN ROONEY
Buying Old Shrimp
When buying shrimp, signs of a fresh batch include a translucent and shiny appearance and a firm texture, and whether or not they still smell salty from the ocean. Avoid certain shrimp if they appear discolored, dull, or flimsy, or have a foul smell and slimy, sticky texture.
Picking Unwisely
Examples of versatile and accessible shrimp are white shrimp, rock shrimp, banana shrimp, Atlantic Northern shrimp, and Tiger shrimp. Try to avoid farmed shrimp, which are products of environmentally harmful fishing practices, and look for wild shrimp, which tend to have a better flavor due to their natural diet.
Not Thawing Properly
Avoid defrosting shrimp in water or in the microwave, as this will kickstart the cooking process, so the shrimp have a higher chance of being overcooked. The best tactic for thawing is to place shrimp in a colander set in a bowl the day before; this way, the water will drain out and the shrimp won’t get soggy.
Not Using Skewers
Not only will grilling your seasoned shrimp on pre-soaked skewers give them a nice, even charr, but skewers also prevent shrimp from falling in between the grates of the grill. Avoid wasting time and ingredients and firmly skewer your shrimp before putting them on the barbecue.
Removing The Shells
Leaving shrimp shells on the shrimp cuts down on rep time and is a great way to prevent them from overcooking. Andrew Zimmern, world class chef and travel channel icon, has stated that the shell acts as a natural heat buffer, and adds another layer of flavor to the shrimp.