Cooking Perfect Shrimp, My Way

Argentine Red Shrimp

Sweet, Tender, and Full of Flavor – Your Ultimate Guide to Argentine Red Shrimp

Today, I’m going to let you in on my secret to cooking the most perfect shrimp. My friends and guests have been raving about my shrimp, saying they’re sweet, tender, and full of flavor. They’ve been begging to know how I do it, so I figured I’d share my foolproof method with all of you.

Now, I’m not talking about any shrimp here. We’re going to use wild-caught Argentine Red Shrimp. They’re sweet, tender, and oh-so-delicious. Trust me, once you try them, you won’t want any other kind.


Here’s how I do it:

Ingredients:

  • 1 pound of wild-caught Argentine Red Shrimp (jumbo size, U21-23), shell-on and deveined
  • Juice of a whole lemon
  • Washed peel of the lemon, cut into quarters
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tablespoon of kosher salt


Note: The "U" in U21-23 means "under," indicating there are between 21 to 23 shrimp per pound. Fresh shrimp is best, but frozen works just as well – just make sure to thaw them before cooking, when using this method.
 

Steps:

  1. Prep Your Water: Fill a large sauce pan with 2-3 quarts of water and season it with the juice of a whole lemon. Don’t toss those peels! Throw them in the pot along with two bay leaves and a tablespoon of kosher salt.

  2. Bring to a Gentle Boil: Get that water to a gentle boil. The aromatic lemon and bay leaves are going to infuse the water with some amazing flavor.

  3. Cook the Shrimp: Once your water is at a gentle boil, add the shrimp. Immediately remove the pot from heat and cover it. Let it sit for six minutes. This is the key to perfectly cooked shrimp – no more, no less!

  4. Ice Bath: After six minutes, drain the shrimp and transfer them to an ice bath. This stops the cooking process and keeps the shrimp super tender.

  5. Shell and Chill: Once the shrimp are cold, take them out of the ice bath, remove the shells, thoroughly dry them, and pop them in the fridge until you’re ready to eat. This helps them stay fresh, firm, and flavorful.


And there you have it – my foolproof method for cooking perfect shrimp. They’re ready for salads, pastas, or just to munch on their own with some cocktail sauce.


Argentine Shrimp

Additional Aromatic Ideas:

If you want to switch things up a bit, here are some other great aromatic ideas to try:

  • Old Bay Seasoning: Add a tablespoon to the water for that classic seafood flavor.

  • Garlic: Throw in a couple of crushed garlic cloves for a hint of garlicky goodness.

  • Peppercorns: A few whole peppercorns can add a nice subtle spice.

  • Fresh Herbs: Try adding sprigs of fresh thyme or dill for a fresh, herbal note.

  • White Wine: Replace some of the water with white wine for a more complex flavor.

     

    Argentine Shrimp with Cocktail Sauce
     

Feel free to experiment and find your own favorite combinations!
Give it a try and let me know how it goes. Happy cooking!

Remember to tag your creations with @The_SmallTownChef. Until next time, happy cooking!

As always, reach out to The Small Town Chef with any questions or comments. We look forward to hearing from you!

 

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Location: Northampton, PA, USA

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