Everything You Never Knew About Shrimp

Posted by KC Kudra on September 27, 2010

Shrimp are a wonderful thing. They can be found in many different sizes and all of them are delicious. Yet there are so many things most people do not know about shrimp, even though they are the most popular seafood in the world. Their secrets abound. Here is the first little known fact: raw shrimp are often called “green” shrimp.

Your average shrimp has ten legs. Since most of us eat them after they have been shelled, we do not often see the legs. The head of the shrimp takes up about half their body size. Even though we call it the head, it also includes the thorax as well. They are related to other crustaceans like lobsters and crabs. They are also related to insects, which is why some cooks refer to them by the endearing name, “Bug.”

In the United States, we eat a billion pounds of shrimp per year. In fact, in Las Vegas, Nevada, 60,000 pounds of shrimp are consumed every day… that is more than everywhere else in the U. S. combined! Wow, that is a lot of shrimp! Almost 90% of that is imported from Central America and Asia, and 40% of that is farmed shrimp. Almost 80% of the shrimp we eat here is consumed in restaurants. We like to eat them, but apparently, we do not like to cook them ourselves. Once you have tried cooking them a few times, you will see how easy it really is.

In the immortal words of Forrest Gump, “Shrimp is the fruit of the sea.” He then proceeds to describe 21 different ways to prepare shrimp, including three different frying methods. The versatile shrimp can be added to stews and soups. It can be used as appetizers, snacks, and main dishes. You can add shrimp to just about anything. Broil them, saute them, fry them… they all taste fabulous.

If the terms “prawn” and “shrimp” are confusing to you, you are not alone. Even shrimp experts can mix them up. For example, the California spot prawn is really a shrimp while the ridgeback shrimp is truly a prawn. In most fish markets, any large shrimp may be called a prawn, but in actuality, there is a physical difference between the two. Shrimp have side flaps that overlap on their first three abdominal segments, while prawns first two segments are the same size.

Shrimp make great easy party appetizers that everyone will love at any party because people love shrimp appetizers more than any other appetizer. You can purchase them in a variety of sizes like small, medium, large, jumbo, and colossal. They are sold by count. For example, jumbo shrimp would be labeled 21/25 on the package. This means there are 21 to 25 shrimp per pound. You can serve them lightly cooked in all of their glory or you can add them to recipes.

You will notice that different types of shrimp exhibit different textures and flavors. These factors are influenced by what they eat as well as the water they live in. Wild shrimp have a more complex flavor due to their varied diet. They also have firmer meat since they need to search for their food. Farmed shrimp have a softer texture since they know where to get their food.

Making trouble-free Superbowl party recipes means that you can prepare all your snacks well in advance and relax with your guests when the game starts. There are lots of Superbowl recipes to choose from and meat snacks, like chicken wings, ribs and hot dogs, are always incredibly popular. You will find hundreds of quick trouble-free appetizers at our site to give you some more ideas.

Selecting Your Party Appetizers

Posted by Christine Szalay-Kudra on August 30, 2010

You want to throw a party and now it is time to plan the food. What do you serve? How will you get everything prepared? You want your guests to be satisfied with their snacking choices. You decide that appetizers will be the way to go.

What kind of starters should you choose? Let us take a look at the kind of party you are planning. Will it be for your department at work or a friendly get together in front of the TV? The formality level of your party will make a big difference in whether you serve chips and dip or rumaki. Once you have pegged the kind of party you are hosting, your menu will be easier to fill.

Make some of your appetizers ahead of time if you can. There are many types that let you do so without compromising the quality of your food. Hot dishes can be reheated just before the party. Make sure you have enough space to store your hors d’oeuvres until the party. You may need to clean out part of your refrigerator or freezer.

When you choose your hors d’oeuvres, consider how they contrast in texture, temperature, and flavor. Your guests will most likely become restless if all your appetizers are similar. Offer some vegetarian options as well as some with meats and cheeses. For texture, consider offering some dishes that are creamy and others that are crunchy. Do the same thing with mild and spicy dishes.

Take into account how large your party will be. For ten guests or less, prepare at least three or four different kinds of hors d’oeuvres. If your party will be larger and ranging up to 45 guests, think of at least six or seven kinds. For even larger parties, plan on eight or more dishes to keep your guests happy. It is much better to have too much food than to run out in the middle of the party.

For cocktail parties, you can figure that each guest will eat at least twelve or so. Remember that hot hors d’oeuvres will fill your guests better than cold ones, but they will also be eaten more quickly. Plan accordingly so you do not run out. By providing both hot and cold dishes, your guests will have more choice.

It is simple to find many appetizer recipes online. You can easily fill out your menu in a few moments of browsing the many recipe sites that exist. Do all of your shopping at least two days before the party. This gives you time to prepare some ahead of time. It also gives you plenty of time to thaw ingredients if need be.

Finally, use your imagination. Do not stick to the same old boring appetizers that everyone serves. Provide some traditional options but add an exotic dish or two for excitement. Something like mango salsa instead of the same old every day variety really livens things up. These kinds of dishes will impress your guests and keep them eating throughout the party. These kinds of hors d’oeuvres will make your party memorable for a long time to come.

Summer appetizer recipes are always fresh and delicious. You should strive to use the freshest ingredients that you can. In this abundant season for fruit and vegetables, there is much to choose from. Berries, zucchini, lettuce, cucumbers, and more will vie for your attention at the market.