Image by Megan Bucknall

Shrimp

When it comes to seafood, shrimp is arguably one of the most popular options. Part of this is due to its diverse availability, with shrimp found in a range of sizes, colors, and flavors that can be used in various dishes. Moreover, shrimp is relatively affordable and quite easy to cook, making it an ideal choice for anyone looking to bring the taste of the sea to their meal.

Shrimp


However, shrimp also has a lot of nuance beyond its cost and ease of prep. For starters, it imparts a unique flavor to any dish, with its succulent flesh offering a crisp, delicate taste that makes shrimp stand out from other seafood choices. It's also a good source of lean protein, selenium, and omega-3 fatty acids, helping to make it a healthy option for many diets.

Yet another aspect of shrimp that should be highlighted is its versatility. It works well in both hot and cold dishes, and can easily be used as an ingredient for appetizers, salads, main meals, dips, or sandwiches. Shrimp can even be grilled, fried, or steamed, leading to a variety of delicious options for even the pickiest palate.

In short, shrimp has everything needed to become a favorite among seafood lovers. Not only is it affordable and delicious, but it's also incredibly versatile and provides numerous health benefits. So, the next time you're considering adding seafood to your menu, don't forget about the nuances of shrimp!

Shrimp dishes

A selection of Shrimp dishes.

Shrimp



Shrimp: a Seafood to Savour

For millennia, mankind has been feasting upon a range of ingredients from the vast oceans and lakes around the world. From oysters to lobsters, and from salmon to tuna, the possibilities for culinary exploration are seemingly endless. But one much-loved seafood that is often overlooked is shrimp. Too often, it is simply boiled and subjected to unimaginative sauces and rubs. Nothing could be further from the truth. With imaginative marinades and seasonings, shrimp can provide spectacular star-studded meals every night, and leave your dinner guests in awe.

For starters, raw shrimp provides an unparalleled level of high-protein refreshment when sliced into delicate sashimi-style pieces. Paired with soy sauce, wasabi, and ginger, this is a dish that will guarantee satisfied smiles all around the table. Alternatively, you can opt for a more traditional cooked dish. A stir-fry is an easily alterable option that allows you to bring out the true flavour of the shrimp. Simply mix with crisp vegetables and tamari (a healthy form of soy sauce), and you have a nutritious, flavoursome meal.

Shrimp can also be used to give an extra kick of flavour to foods that are already on the palate. For example, adding a small quantity of shrimp to a pizza or burger can give it a light, shrimp-y flavour that will tantalize your taste buds. Another delicious way to incorporate shrimp into your meal is by cooking them in a creamy garlic sauce and serving over pasta. The umami flavour of the shrimp pairs perfectly with the richness of the sauce, creating a wholesome, full-bodied meal.

But shrimp is as versatile as it is delicious. In terms of pairings, it can help to bring out the best in a wide array of other foods. The delicate sweetness of shrimp melds wonderfully with sharp, acidic flavours like citrus, giving salads and sandwiches an extra zing. When combined with crunchy vegetables and savoury herbs and spices, shrimp can be the hero of a homemade burger, soup, or casserole. And don't forget the classic shrimp cocktail - nothing screams summer like succulent prawns in a zesty tomato salsa.

Ultimately, there really is no wrong way to enjoy shrimp. Whether it's incorporated into existing dishes, or served as a showstopping centrepiece, you can be assured that this incredible and often overlooked seafood will deliver on taste every time. So why not get creative and let your taste buds explore the unforgettable flavour of shrimp?

History of Shrimp



Shrimp has been a succulent and tasty staple of maritime and coastal cuisines for centuries. This small crustacean, native to salty seas and oceans around the world, has been harvested as an edible tidbit since ancient times. But while historians agree that shrimp was consumed centuries ago, the exact origins of this beloved seafood dish remain a bit of a piscatorial mystery.

The first mentions of shrimp appear in Roman and Greek writings dating back to the 6th century BC and there is even evidence of Ancient Egyptian recipes featuring the dish. It is likely that the people of these civilizations relied on wild-caught shrimp. The harvesting of wild shrimp is still commonplace in some areas today, although the advent of aquaculture, or fish farming, has made farmed shrimp a more common sight on dinner tables.

Shrimp has traveled the length and breadth of the globe since it was first discovered. Some anthropologists believe that its modern availability resulted from the seafaring and trading practices of successive Portuguese and Spanish voyages of discovery in the 15th century. It is said that this exploration helped spread the succulent seafood dish all over the world, eventually making its way to American shores and into the culinary zeitgeist of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, shrimp is widely available and widely enjoyed. Harvested and farmed varieties are widely distributed, with the greatest concentration of seafood production occurring in Southeast Asia and South America. This vast supply of shrimp has made it one of the most popularly consumed seafoods today and has provided a delectable platform for a variety of flavorful sauces, seasonings, and other accompaniments. Whether enjoyed as a single dish or as part of a larger meal, shrimp is sure to tantalize taste buds and please palates everywhere.