13 Easy Ways to Cook Shrimp

13 Easy Ways to Cook Shrimp http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/05/14/easy-shrimp-recipes_n_1510261.html

• According to the Barefoot Contessa, roasting is the best way to prepare shrimp. It caramelizes them a little bit, which brings out a natural sweetness and intensifies their flavors. To roast them, just toss the shrimp in olive oil and salt, and cook in a 400 degree oven for 6-8 minutes. 
• Sauteing shrimp requires just a shallow pan, a bit of olive oil or butter and whatever seasoning you may be in the mood for. Once you add the shrimp to the pan, cook for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. 
•  Grilling shrimp is easy; you just need a hot grill and some skewers. When skewering the shrimp, pierce it through in two places. This ensures that all sides get exposed to the heat (and makes them easy to flip). Cook for about 5-7 minutes on a hot grill, flipping once half way through. As soon as white and opaque, they're ready to eat. 
•  The great thing about stir-fried shrimp is not only does it taste delicious, but it's healthy too. Add the shrimp to an already hot pan, spread them into a single layer and cook for a total of 2-3 minutes, stirring often. Don't overcrowd the shrimp, this will cause them to steam instead of sizzle. 
•  You've never tasted shrimp at their full potential until you've tried them poached. It's a great way to ensure a tender and juicy final product. Poach them in liquid at a temperature just before boiling; and just until they turn pink (about 2-3 minutes). You can use olive oil or butter as the poaching liquid for a rich, flavorful outcome, or wine for a lighter dish. 
•  Boiling shrimp is a great way to put together a shrimp cocktail (though some people steam instead). What we like about the boiling method is that you can infuse the shrimp with spices and flavor, and lock in its moisture. And it usually won't take longer than three minutes. 
•  You can braise shrimp in a number of flavorful sauces (beer, lemon juice or broth); and it'll be the easiest, quickest braising you've ever done. With just a little bit of liquid, shrimp takes just five minutes to cook on low heat. 
•  Pan-searing shrimp gives it a nice, crisp texture. It takes just minutes to do, and makes a satisfying meal. To pan sear, cook the shrimp in a pan at high heat until opaque and crisp. 
• Breaded shrimp are delicious -- and once the breading is done, the shrimp take only 1-2 minutes to cook through. First peel and devein the shrimp (it's not necessary to remove the tail), dredge and coat them in a flour, egg, breadcrumb combination. Then quickly fry them until golden brown and serve them while they're hot. 
•  Steaming shrimp is a great way to make shrimp cocktail, but that's not all. With a few added ingredients, it can make a great dinner too. Keep the shrimp on ice until ready to cook. Then, place in a steam insert or pressure cooker and cook for three minutes at most. 
•  When frying food, the last thing you want is for the flavor of oil to penetrate your ingredients. There are a few tricks to help prevent this from happening. One, don't overcrowd the fryer; and two, make sure the oil is at the right temperature, close to 375 degrees. After that, just batter and cook for 4-5 minutes. 
•  Ceviche is a seafood dish popular in Peru. It's made from fresh raw fish and/or seafood that's marinated in citrus, chiles and other fresh flavors. It's easy to put together, just be sure to start with very fresh shrimp. Be sure to follow your recipe's instructions carefully. 
• Marinating shrimp practically guarantees flavor every time. And it doesn't require as much planning as meat. Shrimp are delicate and so you'll want to pick your marinade carefully. Citric acid tends to break down the shrimp (which can make it mushy), so any marinade with citrus should be used only 30 minutes before cooking. Marinades without citrus can be used for longer periods of time. Yet, it doesn't take long for the flavors to infuse this seafood considering their size.