Steaming Succulent Garlic Shrimp: A Quick, Easy Recipe

Steamed garlic shrimp is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a weeknight or weekend meal. It is a classic Cantonese dish that is commonly served in Chinese restaurants and is a favourite for many. The dish typically consists of large shrimp or prawns steamed with garlic and often served with vermicelli or glass noodles. The preparation and cooking process is relatively simple and quick, taking around 20-25 minutes in total.

How to prepare shrimp/prawns for steaming

When preparing shrimp/prawns for steaming, there are a few key steps to ensure optimal results. Here is a detailed guide to help you achieve the best outcome:

• Peeling and Deveining: Start by removing the clear shell from the shrimp/prawns using your fingers. You can also use a sharp knife to cut down the centre of the shrimp's back and expose the dark intestinal tract. Remove the tract with your fingers or the tip of the knife. Rinse the shrimp after deveining.
• Removing the Head and Legs: If the shrimp/prawns have heads and legs attached, you can twist or chop them off with a chef's knife. This step is optional but may be preferred by those who do not like the idea of eating whole shrimp.
• Brining (Optional): For extra juicy and plump shrimp/prawns, you can brine them before cooking. Soak the prepped shrimp in an ice water-salt brine for about an hour. You can also add sugar and baking soda to the brine for an even better texture. Don't forget to rinse the shrimp before steaming to wash off the baking soda.
• Marinating (Optional): You can marinate the shrimp/prawns with olive oil, salt, and pepper for about 20 minutes. However, avoid marinating for longer periods, as the salt will draw moisture out of the shrimp, making them watery.
• Drying: Before cooking, ensure that the shrimp/prawns are dry, especially if using thawed frozen shrimp. Wet shrimp will not sear properly and may end up stewed instead of golden and crispy.

By following these steps, you will be well on your way to preparing delicious steamed shrimp/prawns. Remember to handle the shrimp gently and not overcook them, as they cook quickly and should remain juicy and tender.

How to prepare garlic for steaming

Preparing garlic for steaming is a simple process, but it's important to get it right to ensure your shrimp are packed with flavour. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to prepare garlic for steaming:

Firstly, you'll need to gather your ingredients. For this method, you'll just need garlic cloves and water. You can adjust the amount of garlic depending on your taste preferences and how much shrimp you're preparing.

Next, you'll want to peel the garlic cloves and leave them whole. This ensures the garlic stays intact during steaming and allows for even cooking.

Once your garlic cloves are peeled and ready, it's time to prepare your steamer. Boil about an inch of water in a large saucepan or wok, making sure it has a steamer attachment or a steamer basket. You can also use a wire mesh strainer balanced on top of the pot, ensuring the bowl of the strainer fits inside without touching the water.

When your water is simmering, carefully add the peeled garlic cloves to the steamer. Cover the pot and let the garlic steam. Steam the garlic cloves for around 45 minutes. This lengthy steaming time ensures the garlic becomes soft and its flavour infuses with the water vapour.

After steaming, your garlic cloves will be soft and ready to use. You can now add them directly to your shrimp dish before steaming, or you can mash or blend them into a paste to create a more intense garlic flavour.

Preparing garlic for steaming is a straightforward process that adds a subtle yet delicious flavour to your shrimp. It's a great way to enhance your dish without the strong bite and aftertaste of raw garlic.

How to prepare vermicelli/glass noodles for steaming

Preparing vermicelli or glass noodles as part of the dish 'steamed garlic shrimp' requires a few simple steps to ensure they are ready for steaming and will cook through evenly. First, you'll want to source the right type of vermicelli noodles. For this dish, rice vermicelli or glass noodles are ideal as they are thin and cook quickly. You can find these noodles in most Asian grocery stores. Once you have your noodles, take the following steps to prepare them for steaming:

Take a bundle of the noodles, usually about 100g to 150g, and place them in a heat-proof bowl. Boil some water and pour it over the noodles, ensuring they are fully submerged. Cover the bowl and let the noodles soak for about 5–8 minutes. The exact time will depend on the thickness of your noodles and the instructions on the package, so be sure to check those as well. You are essentially pre-cooking the noodles to soften them, so they are ready for steaming. Drain the noodles once they are soft. You can run them under cool water to stop the cooking process and remove excess starch.

Now your noodles are ready to be added to your steaming dish. For steamed garlic shrimp, you would typically arrange your marinated shrimp and noodles in a heat-proof dish, add your garlic and other seasonings, and then place this dish in a steamer basket or rack over boiling water. The thin vermicelli noodles will cook through quickly with the steam, absorbing the flavors of the garlic shrimp marinade. And that's it! By following these steps, you'll have perfectly cooked vermicelli noodles that are soft, flavorful, and ready to be enjoyed as part of your steamed garlic shrimp dish.

How long to steam shrimp/prawns for

Steaming shrimp is a great way to get the most flavour out of the shellfish. The cooking time will depend on the size of the shrimp and the method of steaming.

Traditional Stovetop Steaming

First, fill a large saucepan with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) of water and place a steamer rack inside. Bring the water to a boil. Then, place the shrimp on the rack, ensuring they are in a single layer. Cover the pan and steam for about 3 minutes, or until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through. For jumbo or colossal shrimp, add another 2 to 3 minutes.

Oven Steaming

Preheat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit (230 degrees Celsius). Devein the shrimp and place them in a single layer in a shallow, small baking pan. Drizzle with melted butter or olive oil and add seasonings, such as salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Cover loosely with aluminium foil and steam-cook in the oven for 7 to 8 minutes, turning once after 5 minutes. Larger shrimp may take longer to cook.

Microwave Steaming

Arrange the shrimp in a microwave-safe dish, ensuring they are in a single layer with their tails touching. Drizzle with a small amount of water, lemon juice, and seasonings. Cover the dish and 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, while large or jumbo shrimp will take 6 to 8 minutes.

How to serve steamed garlic shrimp

To serve steamed garlic shrimp, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, prepare your chosen ingredients. You will need shrimp or prawns, garlic, and vermicelli or glass noodles. You can also add other ingredients such as soy sauce, oyster sauce, cooking wine, and green onions for extra flavour.

Then, soak the noodles in warm water for around 15-30 minutes to soften them. While the noodles are soaking, prepare the shrimp by cutting them along the back with scissors and removing the gut with a toothpick. You can also butterfly the shrimp by cutting through the shell and flesh at the spine and removing the black vein.

Next, stir-fry the minced garlic until it is golden brown. You can also add oil and salt to taste. Once the garlic is cooked, set it aside.

Now, lay the soaked noodles on a plate and pour hot water over them. Then, place the shrimp on top of the noodles and cover them with the fried garlic.

Bring water in a steamer to a boil and carefully place the plate inside. Steam the shrimp for around 5 minutes or until they are cooked through.

Finally, remove the plate from the steamer and sprinkle chopped green onions and cilantro leaves on top of the shrimp. You can also drizzle hot oil over the herbs for extra flavour. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Some recipes suggest preparing a sauce to pour over the shrimp and noodles before steaming. This can be done by combining ingredients such as garlic, water, sugar, light soy sauce, and Shaoxing wine.

Frequently asked questions