Don't be intimidated by a few simple prep steps. Truth is -- fresh shrimp makes a great, easy meal.
1. Start by pulling off the head and legs -- most store-bought shrimp will already have this step taken care of.
2. Use a shrimp cleaning tool (like
this one) to remove the skin and vein. Simply insert the ridged part at the top of the shrimp and pull down. If you don't have a tool, you can use your fingers to peel back the skin.
3. Now that you've removed both the skin and the vein on the top of the shrimp, it's time to take a look at the vein on the bottom. If it's clear (or if you can't see it at all), you're all set. If it's brown, you'll need to use a knife to cut it out until you don't see any more of the dark stuff.
Nestpert: Tony Maltese is the seafood director for Fairway Market. He is also a lifelong commercial fisherman who has been in the seafood business for more than 40 years.
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-- The Nest Editors
Jul 13, 2010
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