| Shrimp are amazing. They come in several sizes and | | | | Shrimp really is versatile and can be used in soups, |
| they taste delicious. Yet there are many things you | | | | stews, as well as for appetizers, main dishes, and |
| probably do not know about shrimp. These delectable | | | | snacks. These tasty gems can be added to almost |
| little crustaceans have plenty of secrets that you are | | | | anything. Saute them, fry them or broil them... they all |
| about to learn. For example, did you know that raw | | | | taste wonderful. |
| shrimp are known as "green" shrimp? | | | | The terms "prawn" and "shrimp" are often used |
| Shrimp have ten legs. Since most of us do not see | | | | interchangeably, when in fact they are two separate |
| shrimp before they are shelled, we do not see the | | | | creatures. This is confusing even for the experts. For |
| legs. What we call the head of the shrimp is actually | | | | example, the California spot prawn is really a shrimp |
| the head and the thorax. It takes up half the body size | | | | while the ridgeback shrimp is really a prawn. Fish |
| of the shrimp. They are cousins to other crustaceans | | | | markets often label every large shrimp as a prawn, but |
| such as crabs and lobsters. They also are not far | | | | there are physical differences between the two. |
| from insects on the old family tree, which is the reason | | | | Shrimp have side flaps that overlap while prawns have |
| some chefs call them "bugs." | | | | two segments on their tail that are the same size. |
| A billion pounds of shrimp is consumed in the United | | | | Shrimp are a great choice for easy appetizers. They |
| States every year. Did you know Las Vegas, Nevada | | | | are available in a wide variety of sizes so you can |
| holds the record for the amount of shrimp consumed | | | | choose some that fit your recipes and your budget. |
| in this country? It does... 60,000 pounds of shrimp per | | | | Shrimp are sold by count. This will tell you what size |
| day. This is more than the rest of the country | | | | the shrimp are, such as colossal, jumbo, large, medium, |
| combined. That is one big pile of shrimp! About 90% of | | | | or small. Jumbo shrimp, for example, would be labeled |
| the shrimp eaten here comes from Asia and Central | | | | 21/25 on the wrapper. This means you will find 21 to |
| America, with 40% of that being farmed shrimp. Out | | | | 25 shrimp per pound. Serve them up to show off their |
| of those billion pounds of shrimp, 80% is eaten in | | | | pearly pink shrimpness or add them to other recipes. |
| restaurants. It appears that Americans like to eat | | | | Your shrimp are going to have different textures and |
| shrimp; they just do not like to cook it. Cooking shrimp | | | | flavors depending on where they lived and what they |
| really is not difficult... it just takes a few times to get it | | | | ate. Wild shrimp are known for their intense flavors |
| just right. | | | | caused by a wide variety of food. Farmed shrimp are |
| As Forrest Gump would say, "Shrimp is the fruit of the | | | | fed a ration, giving them a blander flavor. Wild shrimp |
| sea." He then goes on to list 21 different ways to | | | | are also firmer than farmed shrimp since they must |
| prepare it, including three different methods of frying. | | | | roam to find food. |