Simple Shrimp: Reviving Already-Steamed Shrimp For A Quick Meal

Cooking already-steamed shrimp is a great way to add protein to a meal, and it can be done in a variety of ways. If you're in a hurry, you can microwave your shrimp for one to two minutes on high heat. For breaded or coconut shrimp, the oven is the best option—wrap them in foil and cook for 15 minutes at 300 degrees Fahrenheit. If your shrimp are already seasoned, steaming them on the stove will help to preserve their flavour. Simply bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the shrimp in a steamer until they smell fragrant. You can also add shrimp to pasta or salad, or cook them in garlic and butter for a mild, tasty flavour.

How to steam already steamed shrimp in the microwave

How to Steam Already-Steamed Shrimp in the Microwave

Steaming shrimp in the microwave is a quick and easy way to cook this seafood favorite. However, it's important to take care when cooking shrimp in the microwave, as it doesn't cook as evenly as a conventional oven. Here's a step-by-step guide to steaming already-steamed shrimp in the microwave:

Select your shrimp: Look for fresh shrimp with firm flesh and a mild odor. The shell should not feel slippery or gooey, and the flesh should be grayish-pink or pinkish-tan.

Defrost the shrimp if it's frozen.

Peel and devein the shrimp: Remove the shells and use the tip of a paring knife to take out the "vein," which is the shrimp's intestine. Leaving the vein in can give the shrimp a bitter flavor.

Place the shrimp in a microwave-safe dish: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer, with the tail ends touching and pointing inward. A shallow, round glass casserole dish or a silicone steamer is ideal. Avoid stacking the shrimp to ensure even cooking.

Add liquid and seasonings: Drizzle the shrimp with a small amount of water, lemon juice, olive oil, and your choice of seasonings like salt and pepper. Gently toss the shrimp to coat them evenly with the mixture.

Cover and microwave: Cover the dish with microwave-safe plastic wrap or a lid, ensuring it is not completely sealed to allow steam to escape. Microwave on high for 2 to 10 minutes, depending on the size of the shrimp. Miniature to small shrimp will take 2.5 to 3 minutes, medium or standard shrimp will take 3 to 5 minutes, large or jumbo shrimp will take 6 to 8 minutes, and colossal shrimp will take 8 to 10 minutes.

Let stand and serve: Remove the dish from the microwave with oven mitts and let the shrimp stand for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain any excess liquid, and serve immediately while still hot. Alternatively, you can chill the shrimp by transferring them to a bowl of ice water to stop the cooking process, then refrigerate for at least 30 to 60 minutes before serving.

By following these steps, you can safely steam already-steamed shrimp in the microwave, ensuring they are cooked thoroughly and maintaining their tender texture and flavor.

How to steam already steamed shrimp on the stove

How to Steam Already-Steamed Shrimp on the Stove

Steaming shrimp is a great way to cook them gently, helping to elevate their flavour and tender snap. It is also a convenient cooking method as you need less water, which means you don't have to wait as long for it to boil.

If you want to steam already-steamed shrimp on the stove, you can follow a similar process to steaming raw shrimp. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare your shrimp: If your shrimp are frozen, start by thawing them. You can do this by placing them in the fridge overnight, or by putting them in a bowl of cold water for about 15 minutes. If your shrimp are already cooked and seasoned, you can skip this step.
• Gather your equipment: You will need a large pot or saucepan with a steamer basket, steamer rack, or metal colander. Make sure the water level is below the bottom of the steamer basket to prevent boiling the shrimp. If you don't have a steamer, you can create a makeshift one by using a heat-safe bowl and plate, or a heatproof colander.
• Boil a small amount of water: Fill your pot or saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of water and heat it on the stove over high heat. Place your steamer rack/basket inside the pot as the water comes to a boil. You can also add lemon juice and salt to the water for extra flavour.
• Prepare your shrimp: Peel and devein your shrimp if they are raw. You can leave the tail on for decoration. If your shrimp are already cooked, you can skip this step.
• Place the shrimp in the steamer: Arrange the shrimp in a single layer on the steamer rack/basket. If your shrimp are raw, sprinkle them with salt, pepper, and garlic powder, or any other desired seasonings. If your shrimp are already cooked and seasoned, steaming will help preserve their flavour.
• Steam the shrimp: Cover the pot and steam the shrimp until they turn opaque and curl up into a C-shape. The time will vary depending on the size of your shrimp, but it usually takes around 3-6 minutes for them to cook. Make sure to check the shrimp frequently to avoid overcooking them.
• Serve the shrimp: If you plan to serve the shrimp chilled, immediately remove them from the steamer and dunk them into a bowl of ice water. If you prefer to serve them hot, transfer them to a serving dish and serve immediately.

Tips for Steaming Shrimp:

• If you don't have a steamer, you can create one by using a metal or wire mesh colander, or even a heat-safe bowl and plate.
• It is best to keep the shrimp in a single layer in the steamer, but if you have multiple layers, they should still cook through.
• For extra juicy shrimp, brine them before cooking by soaking them in an ice water-salt brine for 1 hour.
• You can add various liquids and aromatics to the steaming water, such as stock, wine, beer, fruit juices, onions, celery, carrots, garlic, or ginger, to infuse your shrimp with flavour.

How to reheat already steamed shrimp in the oven

To reheat already steamed shrimp in the oven, you should first preheat your oven to a low temperature of around 225 degrees Fahrenheit or 135 degrees Celsius. Next, spread the shrimp out in a single layer on a rimmed sheet pan or baking dish. This will ensure that the heat penetrates the shrimp evenly and quickly and prevent any pieces from becoming soggy.

Add a few tablespoons of warm water to the sheet pan. Then, cover the sheet pan tightly with aluminium foil to retain moisture and trap steam during the reheating process. Place the covered pan in the oven and heat the shrimp for about 10 to 15 minutes.

After removing the pan from the oven, carefully uncover the foil and check that the shrimp are done. Reheated shrimp should be heated through, opaque, and slightly firm to the touch. Avoid overcooking the shrimp, as this will make them rubbery and tough.

You can also add a small amount of liquid to the baking sheet or dish to prevent the shrimp from drying out. This can be a splash of broth, lemon juice, or even melted butter. The moisture will help keep the shrimp tender during the reheating process.

How to reheat already steamed shrimp in a skillet

To reheat already-steamed shrimp in a skillet, you'll need to follow a few simple steps. Firstly, let the shrimp come to room temperature. This will help prevent overcooking.

Next, place your skillet on medium heat and add a light sprinkling of cooking oil, olive oil, or a slice of butter. Make sure there's enough oil to cover the entire portion.

After 2-3 minutes, the oil should be hot. Add the shrimp and stir occasionally to ensure even heating. The shrimp should only need 2-3 minutes in the pan.

It's important to note that shrimp can overcook very easily, so keep an eye on them and remove them from the heat as soon as they're hot.

You can also sauté the shrimp with vegetables like garlic, onions, carrots, and celery. Simply heat the oil, add the garlic and onions, and stir for 2-3 minutes. Once the garlic is golden, add the vegetables and sauté for 5-6 minutes before adding the shrimp for the last 2-3 minutes.

Enjoy your perfectly reheated shrimp!

How to serve already steamed shrimp as a snack

There are many ways to serve steamed shrimp as a snack. Here is one way to do it:

Firstly, decide on the type of shrimp you want to use. For steamed shrimp, it is recommended to use extra-large or jumbo shrimp, which have a count of 16-25 shrimp per pound. These larger shrimp make the peeling process more worthwhile. It is also important to purchase shrimp with the shell on, as steamed shrimp are cooked with the shell on.

Once you have your shrimp, you will need to prepare your steaming equipment. A common setup is to use a large metal pot with a steamer basket insert that sits on top. If you don't have a steamer basket, you can create a makeshift steamer by placing a heat-safe bowl upside down in your pot and placing a heavy, heat-safe plate on top. Alternatively, you can use a heatproof colander set on top of a pot of simmering water.

Now, you can prepare your shrimp. If your shrimp have heads, you can twist them off or chop them off with a knife. You can also peel the shrimp by grabbing onto the section of the shell that meets the belly and pulling back. If you want to make the shrimp easier to grab when eating, you can leave the tail on. Finally, you can devein the shrimp by using a paring knife to cut a slit along the back of the shrimp, exposing the intestinal tract, and then removing it with the tip of your knife or your fingers. Don't forget to rinse your shrimp after this step!

If you want to add extra flavour to your shrimp, you can brine them before cooking. Soak your prepared shrimp for 1 hour in an ice water-salt brine, using 1 tablespoon of salt for every 2 cups of ice water. You can also add 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1 teaspoon of baking soda to the brine, but make sure to rinse the shrimp before steaming to wash off the baking soda.

Now it's time to cook the shrimp. Add your steaming liquid to the pot. This can be plain water, stock, wine, beer, fruit juice, or any other beverage you like. You can also add aromatics to the steaming liquid, such as onions, garlic, celery, carrots, ginger, or various spices and herbs. Bring the steaming liquid to a boil over high heat, then reduce the heat to medium.

Place your prepared shrimp in the steamer basket and cover the pot. Steam the shrimp for 3 to 5 minutes, until they turn bright pink and curl. Immediately remove the steamer from the pot. The shrimp should be firm but still slightly soft to the touch.

Finally, you can serve your steamed shrimp. They can be served hot or cold. If serving cold, drop the shrimp into a bowl of ice water after cooking to stop the cooking process, then refrigerate until ready to serve. Steamed shrimp go well with lemon wedges and cocktail sauce. Enjoy!

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