Know Your Fish
How To Buy Shrimp -
Buying shrimp can be confusing. When you're shopping for shrimp keep in
mind what you plan to do with it and use that as a guide. If the shrimp is destined for the grill, you will probably want to purchase larger shrimp. If you're making scampi, you probably should choose a smaller size. Also an option is whether to buy your shrimp with the shell on or already peeled and deveined. Cooked shrimp is also available in most grocery stores.
Size
When you're facing the decision of which shrimp to buy for your recipe, size matters. Keep in mind that the larger the number, the smaller the shrimp. For instance, medium size shrimp will be labeled 26-30 which means that you'll get 26 to 30 shrimp per pound (usually on the higher side). If you buy the 41-50 size shrimp, you'll get that much per pound but they will be smaller. The 10-15 size are huge (and good for the grill) but you'll get 15 (tops) shrimp per pound and they are usually more expensive. The 100-150 size are the tiny shrimp that you put in salad (these are usually sold already cooked).
Think Frozen
Buying frozen is fresher if you don't live on the coast. Most of what you buy from the seafood fresh case arrived frozen and was thawed out by the fish monger. Buying frozen keeps it fresh until you are ready to cook. Thawing is easy. You can let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator or place the shrimp (or any fish) in a colander and run cold water on it for a quick defrost.
Shells
When purchasing shrimp, we have to decide whether to get it with the shell on or already peeled and deveined. Buying shell-on shrimp means it has been handled less, of course. If you cook it with the shells on, peeling later makes the task easier. If you choose the already peeled and deveined shrimp, remember that it might cook quicker.
Buying shrimp can be confusing. When you're shopping for shrimp keep in
mind what you plan to do with it and use that as a guide. If the shrimp is destined for the grill, you will probably want to purchase larger shrimp. If you're making scampi, you probably should choose a smaller size. Also an option is whether to buy your shrimp with the shell on or already peeled and deveined. Cooked shrimp is also available in most grocery stores.
Size
When you're facing the decision of which shrimp to buy for your recipe, size matters. Keep in mind that the larger the number, the smaller the shrimp. For instance, medium size shrimp will be labeled 26-30 which means that you'll get 26 to 30 shrimp per pound (usually on the higher side). If you buy the 41-50 size shrimp, you'll get that much per pound but they will be smaller. The 10-15 size are huge (and good for the grill) but you'll get 15 (tops) shrimp per pound and they are usually more expensive. The 100-150 size are the tiny shrimp that you put in salad (these are usually sold already cooked).
Think Frozen
Buying frozen is fresher if you don't live on the coast. Most of what you buy from the seafood fresh case arrived frozen and was thawed out by the fish monger. Buying frozen keeps it fresh until you are ready to cook. Thawing is easy. You can let it thaw overnight in the refrigerator or place the shrimp (or any fish) in a colander and run cold water on it for a quick defrost.
Shells
When purchasing shrimp, we have to decide whether to get it with the shell on or already peeled and deveined. Buying shell-on shrimp means it has been handled less, of course. If you cook it with the shells on, peeling later makes the task easier. If you choose the already peeled and deveined shrimp, remember that it might cook quicker.