In Louisiana, and many other areas of the southern United States, cooking freshwater prawns, also known as Turkish prawns or crayfish, by boiling them in broth in a large pot, is part of the tradition. This preparation is used especially during outdoor picnics. Read the article and find out how to prepare a fabulous boiled freshwater shrimp.
Ingrediants
- 9-13, 5 kg of live freshwater shrimp
- 8 Lemons cut in half
- 450 g Fish Spice Mix (of your choice)
- 8 Onions, peeled and halved
- 4, 5 kg of new potatoes
- 20 Corn on the cob, peeled and halved
- 40 garlic cloves, peeled
Steps
Method 1 of 4: Prepare the Shrimp
Step 1. Purchase live shrimp
Order the right amount of shrimp to fill all the guests attending your outdoor party. For each diner, expect about 900 to 1350 g of shrimp. Remember that most of the shrimp is made from the shell, which will be discarded and not eaten.
- Order the shrimp from your trusted fish shop, preferably in the right season.
- If, in the area where you live, you cannot find crayfish, consider buying them online, the specialized shops will send them to you still alive.
- Once at home, try to keep the shrimp away from light and heat by storing them in a cool place where they can stay alive until cooked.
- Pre-cooked and frozen shrimp obviously won't taste the same fresh and tasty as live ones.
Step 2. Wash the shrimp
Live shrimp need to be cleaned of debris and mud residues before cooking. Clean the shrimp by following these steps:
- Wash the shrimp container. If you bought your shrimp packed in a large bag, start by washing the outside, to remove any residue that could soil the contents inside.
- Pour the shrimp into a large container, such as a paddling pool or large cooler bag, and cover them with water.
- With a large ladle, or with a stick, gently mix the prawns and then let them sit in the water for 30 minutes.
- After a few minutes, take out any dead shrimp you see floating on the surface of the water.
- Discard the water and rinse the shrimp with fresh water. Store them in a shady place until you are ready to cook them.
Method 2 of 4: Prepare the Broth for Cooking the Shrimp
Step 1. Start the fire
Use a gas camping stove, or a portable cooker, making sure they are the right size to heat your chosen pot, about 150 liters.
Step 2. Fill the pot with approximately 70-80 liters of water
Place it in the center of the stove and bring the water to a boil. Add the following ingredients and bring the water back to a boil:
- Juice and peel of 8 lemons.
- 450 g of your favorite fish spice mix.
Step 3. Add all the vegetables
Crayfish are delicious when accompanied by many varieties of vegetables. Despite this, the most used are corn on the cob and new potatoes. When the water boils again, add the following ingredients:
- 8 onions, peeled and halved
- 4.5 kg of new potatoes (alternatively you can use normal potatoes and cut into regular pieces)
- 20 cobs peeled and cut in half
- 40 peeled garlic cloves
Method 3 of 4: Cook the Shrimp
Step 1. Cook the shrimp
Pour them into a metal basket similar to the one used for steaming. This way the shrimp will be able to cook in the upper part of the pot, while the vegetables will cook in the lower part. Cook them for about 5 minutes.
- If you have a large colander, or a large colander, that can be placed at the top of the pot, substitute it for the wire basket.
- The metal baskets for this type of cooking can be purchased online, or in shops that sell kitchen or barbecue equipment.
Step 2. Turn off the heat and let the shrimp cook
As soon as the prawns are cooking, turn off the heat and cover the pot with the lid. In this way the crustaceans will cook slowly, and gently, for another 30 minutes.
Step 3. Check for doneness
After 30 minutes, remove the lid and visually check that the shrimp are ready. The most effective test involves tasting one.
- If it has a rubbery texture, it means that the shrimp needs more time.
- If it breaks easily, drain them immediately to avoid overcooking them.
Method 4 of 4: Serve your Bollito
Step 1. Cover a picnic table with newspaper
This recipe will cause a lot of chaos and waste, so covering the entire table with plenty of newspaper will make cleaning more practical and quick. Also prepare some empty containers in which you can throw the scraps of the shrimp.
Step 2. Serve the boiled meat
Traditionally, this dish is served by draining the shrimp and vegetables from the cooking broth, and then pouring them directly into the center of the table. Place the shrimp prominently on the vegetables. If you are a lover of order, let your guests approach the pot, after having provided them with a paper plate, and allow them to serve themselves in total autonomy.
Step 3. Add the toppings
Butter, salt and a blend of Cajun spices is an ideal combination of flavors for this dish. Enjoy your meal!
Advice
- If you wish, add some spicy sausage just before cooking the shrimp, it will add protein and flavor to your preparation.
- Halfway through cooking, if the flavor of your recipe seems too bland, add more salt and more pepper according to your taste.
Warnings
- For safety, have a loaded fire extinguisher handy.
- Do not salt the shrimp while they are still alive. Salt is used to clean crabs and other crustaceans, but would result in the death of freshwater shrimp.
