How Do You Prepare Shrimp For Cooking?
• Buy shrimp that has not been peeled or deveined yet. • Look for ice on the shrimp or a break in the bag. • If you see ice on the shrimp, it’s likely the shrimp thawed and refroze. This is a sign to avoid the shrimp and find another bag. • Defrost the shrimp by placing the frozen shrimp (out of package) in a bowl of cold water and store overnight, covered, in the refrigerator. Follow these steps for preparing fresh shrimp, minus the thawing process. • Soak the shrimp in salted water to replenish their freshness once they are thawed (if you purchased frozen shrimp), and before you clean them. • Unshell the shrimp by holding it with a few fingers of one hand and pull off its legs using fingers from the other hand. • Peel back the shell and remove by using your thumbs, and remove. The head will come off too. • Remove the tail at this point, if you wish, by holding the body of the shrimp and pulling the tail. The shell will also come off. Devein by making a cut down the back of the shrimp
