Do you remove the shell/skin before cooking? After? Not at all? But them already cleaned and de-shelled?

 

If you want the best flavor possible, buy them shelled and clean them up yourself. Shell and clean before you cook. Remember they cook fast , a mintue or so will be done, so make sure they're done last in your prep to put them on the table. Overcooked will feel like rubber in your mouth.

 

Without the shell is usually less messy.... I buy 'em with the shell ('cause they are cheap that way - just like me), boil 'em quickly (3 1/2 - 4 minutes), and then put them on ice (or in the freezer) so they don't continue to cook...

I like mine plain with cocktail sauce, but some people will spice up the water some while boiling...

 

So you cook them with the shell on, and then peel them afterwards as you eat?

 

^^^ That's mostly done when people eat spiced shrimp. The shell helps keep the the flavor in them. any baking or sauteing take the shell off. The guts still need to be shucked.

 

Ya, but you can get them deveined but still with the shell on.

 

^^ Sorry, I screwed my edit. I was going to say that you can get them that way. Do you just want to eat the plain and dipped them in cocktail sauce? If so, as green said just drop them it some boiling water for a couple minutes, then back to ice water, clean, then go to town.

If you want to eat another way, thaw out what you're going to use in the fridge about a day, rinse with cold water, clean and add to your recipe. Or you can thaw them out under running water, but they get water logged that way. .

 

Anyway, like I was sayin', shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, sautee it. Dey's uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There's pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that's about it.

 

Just my 2 cents - Unless you are cooking small baby shrimp, they need more than 1 minute.

 

I swear I am not picking....


You can also saute with the shell on......even the head. The shell adds great flavor to the butter sauce you are going to make once the saute is complete.....

 

Yes, you get the best flavor that way. But as far as eating it, I don't want to mess with it when I want to put it in my belly.

 

Leave the feet on for a wholely euro experience

 

Yeah, if you're entertaining, then without shell is best (think shrimp cocktail)...

But if I'm just making shrimp for me and my brother when we're watching the game, then peel and eat is just fine....

 

~~~DAMNIT, now I have to go buy some shrimp!!! Spiced shrimp will be on the menu this weekend.

 

^^^^ take pics and post in the dinner thread