Opening the shrimp before grilling or frying will ensure even cooking and a pleasant presentation. Usually they are cut along the back, but it is also possible to do it along the abdomen: a longer but very satisfying procedure. Keep reading this article to learn how to do it.
Steps
Method 1 of 2: From the Back
Step 1. Wash the shrimp
Rinse them to remove sand and other debris before cutting them. Store any that you haven't opened yet in a bowl filled with ice.
Step 2. Shell the shrimp
Although they can be cooked in their shells, the shrimp must be peeled to open. You can leave the tail end according to your personal aesthetic tastes. To shell the shrimp:
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Detach the head (if you bought whole shrimp).
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Remove the paws.
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Remove the exoskeleton: insert your fingers under the head and peel the body of the shrimp.
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Leave or remove the tail.
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Step 3. Remove the intestines
This is a black or brown vein that runs along the back of the shrimp. Before proceeding with the other steps, you need to delete it. Place the curved knife under the grain, on the head side and gently lift it. Clean the shrimp with kitchen paper.
- If the intestine breaks into small pieces, rinse the shrimp under running water for a few seconds.
- There is also a special tool for smaller shrimp.
Step 4. With the knife, make an incision along the curvature of the back
To open the shrimp you just have to make the incision deeper. Be careful not to cut completely the entire thickness of the meat, you just have to make sure it splits in two, while remaining united in the abdomen.
Step 5. Remove the nerve
Turn the shrimp to assess the presence of a nervous vein that runs inside the rib. It looks like a black line, if it is visible remove it. Although it is edible, it doesn't look good to see. Use the knife to lift the rib and throw it away.
- If you decide to fry the shrimp in batter, you can avoid this step, as the nerve will not be visible.
- It could be a bit more complicated operation than removing the intestine. Be careful not to cut the shrimp entirely.
Step 6. Rinse the crustaceans in cold water and then place them in a bowl of ice water as you proceed with the rest
Method 2 of 2: From the abdomen
Step 1. Wash the shrimp
Rinse them to remove sand and other debris before cutting them. Store any that you haven't opened yet in a bowl filled with ice.
Step 2. Shell them
It is essential if you want to open them, but you can leave the final tail for both aesthetic and practical reasons. To shell the shrimp:
-
Detach the head (if you bought whole shrimp).
Butterfly Shrimp Step 8Bullet1 -
Remove the paws.
Butterfly Shrimp Step 8Bullet2 -
Remove the exoskeleton: insert your fingers under the head and peel the body of the shrimp.
Butterfly Shrimp Step 8Bullet3 -
Leave or remove the tail.
Butterfly Shrimp Step 8Bullet4
Step 3. Remove the intestines
Even if you open the crustaceans from the belly, you need to eliminate the intestines so that it appears fresh and tasty. Place the curved knife under the grain, on the head side and gently lift it. Wash the shrimp under running water if the intestine breaks into pieces.
- There is also a special tool for smaller shrimp.
- Do not cut too deep when you remove the intestine, make an incision just enough to remove the grain.
Step 4. Remove the nerve
Put the knife on the abdomen, near the head just above the beginning of the nerve. Cut the meat lengthwise until the nerve is visible, lift it with the knife and throw it away.
Step 5. Make an incision along the abdomen
Go over the incision to make it deeper until the body is divided in two but not completely.
