When mentioning Tet, aside from Tet cake and braised pork with eggs, dishes made from dried shrimp also have an “irresistible” appeal. However, not everyone knows how to choose good dried shrimp. In today’s Cooking Tips section, TasteVN will show you how to select delicious dried shrimp and how to distinguish between different types of dried shrimp!
1 The process of making dried shrimp
Boiling shrimp
The first step in the process of making dried shrimp is boiling the shrimp. The shrimp must be boiled for a certain amount of time; if boiled too long, the shrimp meat will become mushy and lose its natural flavor.
Place a pot on the stove, measure a moderate amount of water, and heat the water over medium heat. When the water is warm, add the shrimp to the pot and boil for about 5 minutes until the shrimp shells turn orange-red, then turn off the heat. Remove the shrimp and place them in a basket to drain.
Peeling the shrimp
Next, wait for the shrimp to cool down a bit, then proceed to remove the head, tail, and shell of the shrimp. Make sure to peel the shrimp carefully to keep the shrimp meat intact.
Drying
Finally, you arrange the peeled shrimp on a tray or basket and expose it to strong sunlight for about 2 – 3 days, until the shrimp is firm and dry. During the drying process, remember to turn the shrimp over so that they dry evenly on both sides.
In addition, remember to cover the shrimp with a thin cloth to prevent dirt or small insects from sticking to them while drying, which can affect the quality of the dried shrimp.
Moreover, if you don’t have time to wait for the shrimp to dry naturally, you can use the drying method by placing the shrimp in a microwave or oven, setting the temperature to medium (around 100 degrees Celsius) and drying for about 1 hour.
However, a small tip from TasteVN is that you should dry the shrimp in the sun, as this will make the shrimp sweeter and firmer!
2 How to choose delicious dried shrimp
If you have mastered the steps to make dried shrimp, then let’s explore some ways to choose really delicious dried shrimp with TasteVN!
Color
Delicious dried shrimp usually has a natural reddish-pink color like brick glaze and the meat inside will be yellow. However, depending on the type of shrimp used to make dried shrimp, the color may vary slightly, such as:
- White shrimp after drying will be yellow.
- Ground shrimp will have a dark red color.
- Sea shrimp will have a light red color.
Additionally, you should avoid buying shrimp that are too pale or too dark red, as these are not ground shrimp or shrimp that have been dyed.
Moisture
Try holding it in your hand; if you feel that the dried shrimp is completely dry, the meat is firm, and there is a bit of white powder on the surface of the shrimp, this indicates that the shrimp has been dried properly.
If you feel the shrimp is a bit soft, has some sliminess, and you notice mold on the shrimp, it means the shrimp has not been dried properly, so you shouldn’t buy it.
Chewiness
When buying, you can ask the seller to let you taste or tear a piece of dried shrimp. If the shrimp meat is firm, chewy, and has a moderate salty and sweet flavor, then that is good quality shrimp, especially those that are naturally sun-dried.
Shell Cleanliness
Dried shrimp can usually be processed and used immediately after purchase, so you should prioritize buying peeled dried shrimp to save preparation time.
Should you choose peeled shrimp or whole shrimp?
Dried shrimp comes in two types: peeled shrimp and whole shrimp, and you can choose based on your preference. However, if you have small children or elderly people at home, you should prioritize choosing peeled shrimp.
Because the whole shrimp shell can easily cause scratches in the mouth when eaten, creating an uncomfortable feeling during meals. However, if you prefer dishes with a crunchier texture, such as salads or using dried shrimp for frying, then you can use whole shrimp.
Should you choose sun-dried shrimp or dehydrated shrimp?
If you buy dried shrimp and don’t plan to use it immediately and want to store it for a long time, you should choose sun-dried shrimp. The reason is that sun-dried shrimp is dried completely from the outside in, making the shrimp meat firmer and sweeter.
On the other hand, dehydrated shrimp usually only dries on the outside, so it has a shorter shelf life, which means you have to use it up quickly to avoid spoilage or mold.
If you want to enjoy delicious dried shrimp without worrying about quality, you can also refer to some recipes below to make them at home for your family.
3 Distinguishing between dried sea shrimp and dried freshwater shrimp
Dried sea shrimp
Most people will make dried shrimp from sea shrimp, as this type of shrimp is easy to catch and has a large quantity, so it is almost always available. For this reason, dried sea shrimp is usually cheaper than dried freshwater shrimp.
Dried sea shrimp is often made from white shrimp or tiger shrimp, which have a natural salty taste and are about the size of a thumb. When cooking, it helps the dish have a salty and sweet flavor without needing to season it with too many spices.
Dried freshwater shrimp
While dried sea shrimp is always available and easy to catch, dried freshwater shrimp is much rarer, as they can only be caught 1 to 2 times a month, usually at the beginning of the lunar month.
However, the meat of dried freshwater shrimp is firmer and sweeter, so it is often used to make soup to enhance the sweetness and aroma of the broth. Additionally, dried freshwater shrimp is also slightly more expensive than dried sea shrimp.
Moreover, as the Tet holiday approaches, surely the kitchen will not be without dishes made from dried shrimp, such as dried shrimp with pickled scallions to “combat” the heaviness of fatty meat dishes, Tet cakes, or fresh shrimp salads for the fathers and uncles to enjoy, right?
Therefore, make sure to note down these recipes from TasteVN to showcase your cooking skills for your family!
See more:
Recently, TasteVN has shared with you some tips for choosing delicious dried shrimp for the Tet holiday. At the same time, it helps you “pocket” some ways to distinguish between dried land shrimp and dried sea shrimp to make your Tet meals more fragrant and appealing. If you want to know more interesting things, head to the Cooking Tips section right now!
