How to defrost shrimp to preserve their taste and benefits?

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Most often, shrimp are sold frozen on the shelves of fish stores and supermarkets. But the usefulness of such seafood is no less than fresh. In addition, they are often already cleaned, and sometimes cooked, which greatly facilitates their preparation. Do shrimp need to be defrosted? How to do it right. We will explore these issues later in the article.

Benefits of shrimp

Before we start looking at how to defrost frozen shrimp, let's get acquainted with the benefits of these marine crustaceans:

• shrimps are practically free of fat and carbohydrates;
• they have useful vitamins - E, A, D, B 1, B 2;
• micronutrients: zinc, iron, iodine, potassium, magnesium.

All these components will perfectly replenish all the substances necessary for the body. Please note that shrimp is a perishable product, so it must be defrosted properly.

Do I need to defrost shrimp at all?

Today there is a lot of controversy on this topic, and there is still no consensus. Both of these options have their right to exist, so everyone must decide for himself how to act. So, let's get down to the analysis of ways to properly defrost shrimp.

First method - in the fridge

It is considered the most effective. Consider how to defrost shrimp in this way. You need to get them out of the freezer in advance, transfer the contents to a deep bowl, then cover tightly with a lid and leave in the refrigerator for 8 hours. This method is not the fastest, but the shrimp are tasty and he althy.

Second method - in the kitchen

Consider the second way to defrost shrimp. It turns out a good result, due to the fact that this should be done at room temperature. In this case, all the beneficial properties of shrimp are preserved. The disadvantage of this method is that the product becomes less fragrant.

The third method is in the microwave

Let's consider how to quickly defrost shrimp. In this case, you can use a microwave oven. Naturally, this option is not the best, as the taste properties of the shrimp will immediately change - they will become dry and lose their flavor.

Fourth method - in water

This method of how to defrost shrimp is considered excellent, as it gives a good result. Everything you need is underhand. So, you need to pour the shrimp into a plastic bag with a good density, tie it with a thread so that water does not get in, then take a pan, pour cold water and lower the bag into it.

How long to defrost shrimp this way? Usually 30 minutes is enough for them to completely defrost, retain freshness and aroma.

Many are interested in how to defrost boiled shrimp. This is done in any of the following ways.

Common mistakes shrimp lovers

Impatient gourmets often try to defrost seafood by immersing it in hot water. In this case, as with a microwave oven, the shrimp will lose their beneficial properties, aroma and taste, become dry and tasteless. If you have some shrimp left over that you didn't use, re-freezing is not acceptable here. Especially if these seafood are large.

There are two types of shrimp: fresh-frozen and boiled-frozen. The first one was frozen with live shrimp. Their color is grey. And the second kind was frozen already boiled, so their color, of course, is pink.

How to determine the freshness of shrimp

Do not forget that the taste and useful properties depend on the conditions of their storage.

First you need to make sure the product is fresh, and here's what you should pay attention to:

• on the shell and head should not be gray or yellow;
• should have a curled tail;
• fresh scent;
• color uniform.

When buying, you needpay attention to the structure of seafood. Often there are packages in which the shrimp are not whole, which indicates poor quality. Another point to which you should pay attention. Turn the shrimp pack over a few times. If they are poured and separated from each other, then they have the first freshness. If they are stuck together, then they have been subjected to more than one frost.

How to store shrimp

Let's share a few tips on how and under what conditions to store shrimp.

• If you prefer to buy fresh shrimp, then you need to store them in the refrigerator for no more than 3 days.
• Try wrapping them in foil before freezing. So the product will last longer (about 3 months). If more time passes, the shrimp will become almost tasteless.
• In order for the shrimp not to lose their taste, you need to keep the temperature in the refrigerator from 3-9 degrees.
• Since shrimp lose their taste from loss of liquid, it is necessary to keep them moist.
• At room temperature, the shelf life of shrimp is noticeably reduced and is 2-4 hours - this applies to frozen shrimp. Once cooked, they will keep in the refrigerator for 3 days. In this case, you can apply a few tricks so as not to lose their taste and aroma. Shrimp should be stored in paper, and away from food.

So, we have looked at how to defrost shrimp. We hope these tips help you get it right so they stay delicious and he althy.

Now I want to share simple cooking recipesthese seafood. Many people ask the question: how long do shrimp cook? Many believe that 3 minutes is enough for peeled seafood to be fully cooked and not lose its taste, and 5 minutes for unpeeled shrimp.

How to cook shrimp?

The easiest way to cook shrimp in a pot. For this you will need:

• 1 kg shrimp;
• 3 liters of water;
• s alt to taste.

Cooking method:

Pour water into a pot and wait for it to boil. Add s alt and mix well until completely dissolved. We take a package of seafood. How to defrost shrimp is described above. Add them to s alted water. Cook for 4 minutes, no more.

Simmering in sauce

This recipe is suitable for already peeled shrimp. Need to take:

• 500g peeled shrimp;
• 1 tbsp a spoonful of olive oil;
• 1 onion;
• 2 garlic cloves;
• s alt to taste;
• 100 ml of water.

Cooking method:

1. Take a pot and heat it up, add vegetable oil.
2. Meanwhile, cut the onion and garlic cloves in half and send to a container with hot oil, fry a little.
3. Send shrimp to overcooked garlic with onion, pour everything with water Bring to a boil and cook for about 4 minutes.
4. We do not open the lid and let it brew a little more.
5. Shrimp according to this cooking principle are very tender and fragrant.

Lazy shrimp insteamer

Required ingredients:

• 1 kg shrimp, peeled;
• 2 liters of water;
• 1 tbsp a spoonful of olive oil;
• 12 dill seeds;
• lemon - 1 piece;
• s alt to taste.

Cooking:

1. Pour water into the double boiler, spread the shrimp, s alt.
2. Squeeze the juice from the lemon and add the oil.
3. Cook about 15 minutes, depending on the steamer model.

Shrimp baked in the oven

Ingredients:

• 700g peeled shrimp;
• 2 tbsp. spoons of olive oil;
• 3 garlic cloves;
• half a lemon;
• sprig of parsley;
• s alt, pepper to taste.

Cooking:

1. Grease a baking sheet with olive oil and put one layer of shrimp on it.
2. Making sauce. Squeeze the lemon juice, add s alt and pepper, mix everything. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees.
3. Put the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for about 8-10 minutes. Take out the baked shrimp, let cool slightly and sprinkle with fresh parsley.

This is a low-calorie dish, suitable for those who watch their figure.

A few tips

Don't cook the shrimp for a long time, they will become rubbery and not tasty, while losing all their useful properties.

For more flavor, you can add bay leaf, cloves, black pepper during cooking.

The readiness of the shrimp will be indicated by the fact that theyfloat up and change the color of the shell. It is better to observe the proportion of water 1:2.

In conclusion, I would like to say that our tips will benefit you when defrosting shrimp. If you regularly cook dishes from this seafood, then the beneficial substances that are in their juice will help to cope with such a problem in the human body as hypertension, as well as reduce stress.