This is an important question because many people have access only to frozen shrimp that they can purchase from the supermarket. First of all, it is essential to know how to buy frozen shrimp and how to avoid the ones that are of low quality. Always carefully examine the bag containing the frozen shrimp and try to see if there are any ice crystals or bits of ice because these are indicators that the shrimp had been defrosted and frozen again. Make sure that the size of the shrimp is appropriate for the recipe that you are planning. For example, if you plan to grill them, make sure that they are large enough to handle during the grilling process.
It is also advisable to choose frozen shrimp that still have their shells. Much of the flavor is found in the shells. You will be missing out a lot on the shrimp flavor if you purchase them already without shells.
Keep the frozen shrimp in the freezer and make sure that it does not defrost before you are ready to cook it. To defrost it, you could slowly run cold water over the bag. It is not advisable to use the microwave to defrost the shrimp because this could partially cook it and alter the texture and flavor of the meat. If you are not in a hurry, take the shrimp out of the freezer and put it in the refrigerator where it can thaw within a day or two.
After defrosting the shrimp, you now have to clean them. Remove the shells but keep the tail intact because it provides a handy way to hold the shrimp when you are eating it. Grilling shrimps is recommended over a charcoal grill to maintain their delicious flavor. Frozen shrimp usually no longer have their heads because they are believed to be healthier to eat. This is because the heads hold most of the decomposing bacteria.
To prepare the shrimp for grilling, you need to marinate it, usually in a marinade that contains orange juice, lemon, lime, vinegar, or tomato. You may remove the shells first before marinating or you can keep the shells intact. The next step is to prepare the shrimp for grilling by removing the shells if they are still intact and deveining it. Remember to leave the tails on if you want a handy way to hold them while eating. To devein the shrimp, make a shallow cut along the back of the shrimp with a sharp knife. You can now pull out the vein and then wash the shrimp under running water.
You can use skewers to thread the shrimp or put them on a grilling basket. Place the shrimp approximately three to four inches above a medium fire. The cooking time is usually two and a half minutes to three and a half minutes per side. It is easy to see that the shrimp is cooked because its flesh becomes opaque white and its flesh becomes pink. Make sure that you do not overcook them because this would make them tough and eliminate much of their flavor.
