"Omelet" > wrote in message
news
> In article > ,
> "Muddle" > wrote:
>
> > "why is shell on shrimp better"
>
> I'm not sure either...
> That's what I was asking as well.
>
> > It keeps people from overcooking them and the shells make a good stock.
I
> > buy mine shell on and deveined, because I live to far from the ocean to
get
> > them fresh and the shell helps protect them in the freezer. I do remove
the
> > shells for stock.
>
> So do I. My bag of shells is pretty full in the freezer right now so
> it's time to get some head-on shrimp for the final shrimp stock. I like
> to combine heads with shells for a richer stock. It's one stock I don't
> add any aromatics to! It's not needed. Fish head stock I treat just like
> any other meat stock by adding celery, ginger, garlic and onions.
>
> > When grilling, I butterfly the shrimp, add a thin slice
> > of jalopeno pepper and wrap in cured pork product.
>
> I've found that a good 24 hour oil based marinade works fine to protect
> them from drying out. I used Italian dressing in this case and it's
> generally 1/2 Olive oil.
>
> > Shell on is better, because I want the damned shells and I don't see the
> > sense in paying more to have them removed.
>
> Plus it keeps them from drying out in the fish mongers display!
> I will only pay for head-on shrimp tho' when I want the heads for stock.
>
> I only buy them shell on/deviened when I can find them that way for a
> good price. Most of the time I devien them myself as I shell using a
> small sharp paring knife.
>
> When I'm in a hurry, I'll use peeled, deviened fresh frozen shrimp. They
> are not as good but they are acceptable. But, I'd never serve those to
> company!
> --
> Peace, Om
>
> Remove _ to validate e-mails.
>
> "My mother never saw the irony in calling me a Son of a bitch" -- Jack
Nicholson

I won't purchase them out of the fish mongers display. I live inland and
shrimp sold inland are all flash frozen. They thaw them out to place in the
display. Tell them you want the flash frozen 2 lb. bag not the decomposing
display shrimp. They'll happily trot off and retrieve one with a bar code
for you. If you don't live within 50 miles of the ocean you'll probably
never see fresh shrimp unless you own a corporate jet.