| How to Cook Frozen Shrimp Posted: 25 Jul 2021 05:00 PM PDT A bag of frozen shrimp can be a lifesaver come dinnertime. If not properly prepared, however, your favorite seafood dishes can easily turn into a bland, watery mess. The key to cooking with frozen shrimp is to give them plenty of time to thaw before combining them with other ingredients. Once all the excess liquid has been released, you can throw your shrimp into a pot of boiling water, sizzling skillet, or preheated oven and cook them to perfection. [Edit]Thawing Frozen Shrimp - Pick up a bag of peeled, deveined shrimp. Starting with shrimp that have already been peeled and deveined will help you cut down on your prep time. If you prefer, you can also buy whole shrimp and peel them yourself later. Either way, all you'll have to do to get them ready for the pot, oven, or skillet is thaw them out.[1]
- While shopping for frozen shrimp, check each package for a symbol reading "IQF," which stands for "Individually Quick Frozen." This means each shrimp has been frozen separately, which reduces clumping and improves flavor and texture.
- It's important that your shrimp be deveined. It's practically impossible to devein shrimp while they're still frozen or after they've been cooked, and it will take much longer if you wait until after they've thawed.[2]
- Place the shrimp in a colander or wire strainer. Snip open the bag and shake out the frozen shrimp into your colander or strainer. To ensure that your shrimp defrost as quickly as possible, be sure to break up any large chunks that have frozen together.[3]
- If you don't have a colander or strainer, try leaving the bag sealed and running some cool water over it in the sink to thaw it. It's time-consuming, but it will get the job done.
- You can also place the exact amount of shrimp you want to cook in a separate resealable plastic bag before continuing if you don't want to prepare the entire bag at once.
- Submerge the colander or strainer in a bowl of cool water. Lower the colander into the bowl, making sure it fits comfortably and the water covers the shrimp entirely. Allow the shrimp to sit for 10-15 minutes, or until the last of the ice has melted.[4]
- To speed up the thawing process, leave a small stream of fresh water trickling into the bowl to continually replace the water that's grown cold.[5]
- Transfer the thawed shrimp to a layer of folded paper towels. Remove the colander or strainer and shake it a few times to get rid of excess water, then pour the shrimp out on top of the paper towels. Fold one half of the absorbent pad over or use a separate towel to gently blot the shrimp and soak up any remaining moisture.[6]
- There should be no visible ice crystals or standing water on the surface of the shrimp when you're done.
- Heat the shrimp briefly to release any remaining liquid (optional). Add your thawed shrimp to a dry nonstick pan or pot of boiling water over high heat and cook them for roughly 2-3 minutes, or until they just turn opaque. The heat will cause the shrimp to shrink slightly, essentially wringing every last bit of unwanted moisture out of them.[7]
- While it's not necessary to give your shrimp a preliminary warmup, it can be a useful step if you want to make sure they don't make the dish you're preparing soggy.
[Edit]Boiling Your Shrimp - Fill a large pot 3/4 of the way up with water. Leave at the top of the pot to give the water plenty of room to rise as it reaches a boil. Be sure to choose a piece of cookware that's roomy enough to hold all the shrimp you plan on cooking, along with your water. Your shrimp shouldn't take up more than about 1/4 of the pot's total volume.[8]
- To save yourself some time, let your tap run until it's as hot as it can get before you begin filling your pot to increase the starting temperature of your water.
- If you boiled your frozen shrimp to finish thawing them, you can skip straight to cooking them in the same water.
- Bring your water to a high boil. Position the pot on one of your stove's central burners and turn it on to medium-high heat. When the water begins to bubble steadily, it will be time to put in your shrimp.[9]
- Adding the shrimp before your water reaches a boil can lower its temperature, causing the shrimp to take longer to cook and leaving it rubbery as a result.
- Add whole spices and other flavorings to your cooking liquid (optional). Sprinkle a generous amount of kosher salt into your pot to help season the shrimp. Then, throw in any other ingredients you want to use. For of shrimp, you might include 2-3 teaspoons (10-14 g) of cloves or peppercorns, or squeeze and drop in half of a lemon.[10]
- Fresh herbs like parsley, thyme, or cilantro can also be used to impart zesty, pungent, and savory notes.
- Let your flavorings simmer for about 5 minutes in order to bring out their full flavor.
- Boil your shrimp for 2-7 minutes, or until they begin to float. Smaller shrimp will typically only need to cook for 2-3 minutes, while larger ones may need closer to 5. Watch closely for a few shrimp to begin bobbing to the surface of the pot—this is a good sign that they're done.[11]
- Stir your shrimp periodically as they boil to make sure they all heat evenly.
- There's no need to wait for all of your shrimp to float. Once you notice a half a dozen or so pop up, it will be safe to take them off the stove.
- Drain your boiled shrimp thoroughly in a colander or wire strainer. Switch off the stove and use a pair of potholders or oven mitts to carefully lift the pot off of the burner. Pour the shrimp out into your colander or strainer, then give it a couple shakes to remove excess water.[12]
- If you're making shrimp cocktail or plan on reheating your shrimp later, plunge them into an ice bath for a few seconds, then drain them again. This will prevent them from overcooking accidentally.[13]
- For maximum flavor, serve your boiled shrimp hot with melted butter and a dash of Old Bay Seasoning.
- If you end up with uneaten shrimp, transfer them to an airtight storage container and stick them in the refrigerator. They should keep for up to 3 days.[14]
[Edit]Broiling Your Shrimp in the Oven - Preheat your oven's broiler. Set the broiler to high heat and give it at least 8-10 minutes to reach its top temperature—it needs to be nice and hot in order to give your shrimp a perfect crispy exterior. While it's warming up, you can finish getting your shrimp ready.[15]
- You can also use a conventional bake or convection setting at around , though broiling your shrimp will improve their texture and help them cook faster.[16]
- Toss your shrimp in dry spices for a burst of added flavor. Mix up a quick seasoning blend using 3/4 of a teaspoon of kosher salt, 1/2 of a teaspoon of garlic powder and paprika, and 1/4 of a teaspoon each of cracked black pepper, cayenne pepper, and oregano. Stir your spices together in a large mixing bowl, then add your shrimp and toss them until they're evenly coated.[17]
- Lemon pepper is another popular seasoning choice for broiled shrimp and similar seafood dishes.
- The quantities of spices listed here should be just right for about of shrimp. If you're preparing more or less, adjust your proportions accordingly.
- Spread out your thawed shrimp on a nonstick baking sheet. Arrange the shrimp in a single layer so that there's about of space between each. Make sure none of them are covering or overlapping the others.[18]
- Giving your shrimp some room to breathe will help them cook faster and more consistently.
- Use a baking sheet or broiler pan with raised edges to prevent the shrimp from sliding off.
- Broil the shrimp for 5-8 minutes, or to the desired doneness. Slide the pan onto the upper rack of your oven directly beneath the broiler, then close the door. Your shrimp won't take long at all to cook through, especially under the intense heat of the broiler.[19]
- You'll know your shrimp are done when they turn a pale pink color, with a small amount of visible browning around the edges.[20]
- If your oven has a light inside, switch it on so you can keep an eye on your shrimp as they cook.
- Remove your shrimp safely from the oven using an oven mitt. Once your shrimp are done, open the oven, reach inside, and carefully take hold of the baking sheet. Rest the baking sheet on a nearby stove, countertop, or other heat safe surface to cool.
- Allow your shrimp to cool for 2-3 minutes before serving them up. Avoid handling the baking sheet in the meantime, as it will be extremely hot.
- Place your leftovers in an airtight container and put them in the refrigerator, where they'll stay fresh for about 3 days.[21]
[Edit]Sautéing Your Shrimp - Heat of oil or butter in a large skillet. Tilt the skillet in all different directions as it warms up to make sure your cooking surface is evenly coated. Wait for the oil to begin shimmering slightly before adding your shrimp.[22]
- For best results, choose an oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable, canola, peanut, or sunflower oil.[23]
- Be careful not to let your skillet get too hot, especially if you're using butter. Doing so could cause your cooking fat to scorch, resulting in a burnt, acrid taste.
- You'll have the easiest time sautéing of shrimp at a time.
- Add garlic or other aromatics to your oil for additional flavor. If you like, you can throw of minced garlic, sliced white onion, chopped parsley or shallots, or lemon zest into your skillet as it heats up. Cook your chosen ingredients until they just begin to soften and turn translucent.[24]
- Be careful not to overcook your aromatics, or they could cause your shrimp to taste burnt. They'll most likely only need about 30-45 seconds in the skillet.
- Add your shrimp to the skillet and sauté them for 4-5 minutes. They'll begin sizzling as soon as they touch the hot cooking surface. Keep the pan moving or stir the shrimp constantly to make sure they heat evenly. In a few short minutes, your shrimp will take on a soft pinkish-white color and a slightly crispy outer texture.[25]
- Feel free to dust your shrimp with about 1/2 of a teaspoon each of salt, pepper, chili powder, curry spice, and cayenne pepper at this point, or season them to your own personal taste.[26]
- Shrimp cook quickly, so make sure you don't walk away and leave the skillet unattended, or they could burn.
- Let your shrimp cool for 1-2 minutes before eating them. The shrimp will be hot when they first come out of the skillet. As difficult as it may be, try to hold off on eating them until they've had time to cool to a safe temperature. Enjoy!
- Finish your sautéed shrimp with a drizzle of melted butter or a sprinkle of freshly-minced savory herbs, such as parsley, cilantro, or dill.[27]
- Refrigerate your leftovers in an airtight container and try to consume them within 2-3 days.
- Keep a couple bags of frozen shrimp on hand at all times so you'll always be able to whip up a delicious meal in a pinch.
- One of the best things about frozen shrimp is it takes them a long time to go bad. When properly stored, they should keep for up to a year![28]
[Edit]Warnings - It's not safe to consume frozen shrimp (or any kind of shrimp, for that matter) if you suffer from a shellfish allergy.[29]
[Edit]Things You'll Need [Edit]Thawing Frozen Shrimp - Colander or wire strainer
- Paper towels
- Nonstick pot or pan (optional)
[Edit]Boiling Your Shrimp - Large pot
- Wooden spoon
- Colander or wire strainer
- Potholders
- Large bowl for ice bath (optional)
[Edit]Broiling Your Shrimp in the Oven - Large mixing bowl
- Nonstick baking sheet or broiler pan
- Oven mitt
[Edit]Sautéing Your Shrimp - Large skillet
- Spoon or spatula
- Potholder
- Knife, grater, or zester (for preparing fresh herbs)
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
| How to Learn from Others Posted: 25 Jul 2021 09:00 AM PDT Even if you're the most successful person on the planet, you can always stand to learn from other people. Those who have more experience or different perspectives can offer great advice and tips that can help you along your journey. If you'd like to start learning from your peers or higher-ups, read through these helpful tips to get started today. [Edit]Get to know the people around you. - Take them out for drinks or a cup of coffee. If they're your coworkers, try eating lunch together or hanging out after work. If they're your classmates, form a study group or go grab drinks. The more you can get to know each other, the more you can learn from each other.[1]
- Try to get to know the people who are total opposites of you. Maybe there's an older adult in one of your classes or someone who's been at your company for years now. You probably have a lot you could learn from them!
[Edit]Value everyone you meet. - You can learn from everyone, not just your peers. Maybe you meet the new guy at work who has way less experience than you. Just because he's fresh out of college doesn't mean you can't learn something from him! Try to be open to learning from everyone, not just people who you think are on your level.[2]
- This is especially important if you're in a position of power. You can always learn from your employees, even if you're in charge of them.
[Edit]Watch the people around you. - Simply observe and stay aware of what they do. You don't have to stalk anyone (that would be creepy), but take note of any habits that work for other people. For instance, if one of your classmates always does well on tests, you might notice them studying on their lunch break instead of chatting with friends.[3]
- If a coworker of yours gets a ton of praise from the boss, you might notice them staying at work late or coming in on the weekends.
[Edit]Welcome constructive criticism. - Take advice from others if they offer it. It's easy to feel defensive or on guard, but most people are just trying to help you out with their comments. Constructive criticism can help you improve and perfect your own technique.[4]
- For example, a classmate might tell you that you need to dedicate more study time per week for a particularly hard class. They aren't saying it to be mean, they're just telling you what works for them.
[Edit]Take note of other people's mistakes. - Don't repeat something you know doesn't work. If a classmate claims they have a great study trick but they end up failing, you probably don't want to take their advice. You don't have to call attention to it, but you can make a note of it in your head.[5]
- Or, maybe a coworker asks for a raise when they've only been at the company for a few months. If they didn't get the raise, they might have asked for it too early.
[Edit]Ask for someone else's point of view. - Different people can offer different perspectives. If you're feeling stuck, approach a peer or a classmate and ask them for their advice. Their experiences and perspective can really help you make a decision.[6]
- Say something like, "Hey, you're always super good at talking to the boss. Do you have any tips for how I could propose a new project?"
[Edit]Throw out hypotheticals. - Ask your peers what they would do in your situation. It can be something you've already encountered in the past, or a situation you're dealing with now. Give them all the relevant facts and ask them for any advice they have to offer.[7]
- For instance, "So, let's just say that you have a big presentation at work tomorrow, and you're not sure if the boss is going to like it. Would you show the presentation to your manager and ask for advice, or would you keep it to yourself and keep working on it?"
[Edit]Listen to what didn't work in the past. - Gain insight to what happened before you were around. This is a great strategy to use if you're the new person at a company or workplace. As you chat with the people around you, try to stay up to date on projects, employees, and strategies that worked (or didn't work).[8]
- For instance, maybe the last person in your position proposed a 4-day workweek and was shot down. You can learn from their attempt and go about it in a different way.
[Edit]Ask for help. - It's the most straightforward way to learn from others. If you're struggling and you notice someone else is super good at what you're doing, see if they can offer you any advice. Don't take up a ton of their time, but see if they can give you any tips at all.[9]
- For example, maybe you're having a hard time in your chemistry class. You could approach your classmate who always does good on the homework and ask what their strategy is.
[Edit]Have conversations, not interrogations. - Don't pressure anyone into giving you advice. Instead, try to have friendly chats with your classmates or coworkers, and let them bring up whatever they'd like to. Asking questions is fine, but if the conversation gets a little too one-sided, it could end up feeling hostile.[10]
- For instance, if you really want to ask a classmate about their study methods, approach them to chat about the class. Try to shoot the breeze for a few minutes about how tough the homework is and how annoying group projects are before diving into your questions.
[Edit]Check out resumés from professionals in your field. - If they got a job, they must be doing something right. Ask to see your classmates' or mentors' resumés or CVs, and check out what they chose to write down. Then, highlight those same things in your own application as you check out jobs.[11]
- If you don't have anyone to ask in real life, you can often find example resumés online. Try searching up your line of work + "example resumés."
[Edit]Reflect on your own strengths and weaknesses. - Figure out what you have to learn. When you know your own skillset, you'll be more open minded to taking advice from other people. Everyone has an area they're not great in, even if you have a ton of experience somewhere else.[12]
- For example, you might be a great salesperson, but maybe you struggle with formatting paperwork and submitting forms. Someone in your company may be able to help you learn the technology you need to thrive at your job.
[Edit]Offer to help when you can. - Learning from each other goes both ways. Your peers will be more likely to offer advice and insight if you do the same for them. If you notice that someone is struggling, offer your handy tips or tell them what worked for you. Chances are, they'll have some advice to trade back, and it will be beneficial for the both of you.[13]
- Your insights and experiences will probably be helpful to someone since everyone is so different. You might be able to bring up a point of view that someone else hasn't thought of before.
[Edit]Imitate things that work. - Try out the things that your peers told you to do. If it doesn't work for you, you can make adjustments as necessary. You don't have to copy people exactly, but you can adapt their practices to match your needs.[14]
- For example, maybe you have trouble getting ahold of people during group projects. A classmate might have told you that setting up weekly check-in meetings is a great way to hold people accountable. You might use that knowledge and set up check-in meetings, but host them online via video chat so they're more accessible for everyone.
- Good leaders never stop learning. Even if you're super successful, you can always stand to learn from those around you.
[Edit]References __LIST__ |
| How to Become a Beekeeper Posted: 25 Jul 2021 01:00 AM PDT Whenever you see a bee buzzing by, it's probably hard at work pollinating plants, sustaining the crops we eat, and producing honey. Bees play a critical role in our ecosystem, and beekeepers help these interesting bugs thrive. Some of them even make money doing it, since they can harvest and sell the excess honey the bees produce! If you want to pursue beekeeping either as a career or hobby, you're in luck! There typically isn't a whole lot standing in your way other than a little hard work, knowledge of bee behavior, and a swarm of your own. [Edit]What are the daily activities of a beekeeper? - As a beekeeper, you will maintain and manage your bee colonies. You'll spend your time caring for bees, feeding them, and collecting their honey once they produce an excessive amount. On most days, you'll just check in on the bees to ensure that they're healthy and productive. While it may sound like a lot of work, beekeeping requires very little daily effort once your hive is established, since bee colonies are largely self-sufficient.[1]
- As a beekeeper, the hardest work you'll do will come early on when you're establishing the hive. Once that's over, most beekeepers find the process of checking in on their hive and seeing the colony grow rewarding and relaxing!
- Some beekeepers will develop personal relationships with their hives! After a while, you may develop a sense for when your bees are upset, or when they've lost motivation.[2]
[Edit]Do I need training to become a beekeeper? - No, but you do need to know a fair bit about bees! If you're an avid fan of insects and you already know a fair bit about bee behavior, you can definitely get started without any training. However, you may want to sign up for a beekeeper training program at your local university's extension office. These programs take anywhere from a few months to a year, and they're typically free (or extremely cheap).[3]
- Beekeeping is popular among homesteaders—people who live in a self-sufficient way by growing their own food and making their own goods. Most homesteaders are self-taught, so there's no reason you can't teach yourself too.
[Edit]How do I actually get the bees? - Most beekeepers just buy their first set of hives. You can have a hive shipped to you from a larger beekeeper. A hive will typically run you $150, but it's a one-time buy since the bees will reproduce. This is generally seen as the best way to acquire your bees, since they'll be used to humans handling them and they'll be disease-free when they arrive.[4]
- You can order package bees, or a nucleus hive. Package bees are live bees that you add to a brand new hive. A nucleus is a half-colony that comes with a portion of the honeycombs, which will jumpstart growth. Either option is fine, but package bees are generally considered safer.
- You can collect a wild swarm if you can find one and it's legal. This is often more art than science. Once you find a hive, you can use a smoker to calm the bees, and guide them directly off of the honeycombs into a container. If the bees are on the ground, you can use a sheet of cardboard to scoop them up. Regardless, you'll need to scoop up nearly the entire swarm, and transfer them to your hive.[5]
- If you go this route, you must wear a beekeeper's outfit and utilize a smoker to prevent the swarm from attacking. Taking a colony away from its hive is going to upset the bees, and you may be stung if you don't wear any protective gear or use a smoker to cool the bees down.
- This is illegal in some jurisdictions. Check with your state and city first before you start peeling a bee hive off of a tree trunk.
- Many wild bees carry diseases, which is the key reason beekeepers typically buy their hives. If you collect multiple hives and one of them is carrying a disease, you may have a disaster on your hands.[6]
- Your hives will multiply over time, so don't buy too many at first! As your colonies grow and flourish, a hive will eventually run out of space. When this happens, the bees will begin to swarm, and split itself in half. The portion of the bees that leave the original hive will choose a new queen and start a new colony. As a result, you shouldn't run into a shortage of bees after you buy your first set of hives.[7]
[Edit]Do you need permission to keep bees? - Unless you live in a major city, it's usually fine to just get started. Check with your local agricultural department to make sure, but if you aren't living in a major city, there usually aren't any applications or anything you'll need to submit. In some areas, there are no beekeeping regulations at all.[8] You will typically need to register your hive with the state once it's established, though.[9]
- It isn't normally illegal to keep a beehive in a major city, but you often need to file for permits and you're typically restricted on how many colonies you can have. This process isn't typically very tenuous, though. You usually file an application and then an inspector checks out your plans and space.[10]
- You will probably need permission to sell your honey. Honey selling is regulated differently in every state, but you may need to get a health inspection and a business license before you can start selling anything. However, some states don't treat honey sales the way they treat other food products or businesses, so be sure to look up the laws where you live![11]
- Some states treat local honey as a "cottage food." Cottage foods are products that you're allowed to sell without a food or health inspection, and you occasionally don't even need to register a business. This is why bake sales aren't treated the same way as food trucks![12]
[Edit]How much does it cost to start beekeeping? - Your initial investment in materials can cost $400-800. A brand new bee hive will likely cost you around $150, and a good beekeeper's outfit can cost $100-200. Beyond that, you'll also need storage bins, a smoker, protective gear, and tools for handling the hive. All things considered, you're looking at over $400 on the low end.[13]
- If you don't want to harvest the honey manually, you'll also need to buy an extractor. These typically run $100-200, but they'll pay for themselves if you plan on starting a business!
- A lot of these supplies are just one-time buys. You won't need to keep buying bins and smokers over and over again once you're all set up.
- There are beekeeping starter kits out there that come with a lot of the supplies you'll need. These kits are a good option if you're starting totally from scratch.
[Edit]How much land do you need to be a beekeeper? - You need roughly of outdoor space per hive. The hives themselves aren't particularly big—a standard hive will be roughly . However, the bees won't be happy if they're cramped in a small space, and the entrance to a hive is a pretty busy space. If you want your bees to be happy and healthy, you'll need to keep the around each hive clear.[14]
- Most beekeepers utilize Langstroth hives. These are preassembled "houses" with built in frames for separate hives. The bees will use the individual boards inside of each section to build their honeycombs and produce honey. Beekeepers like these hives because it's easy to slide each section in and out of the structure to check on the bees.[15]
[Edit]How do beekeepers make money? - Beekeepers will harvest and sell their hives' excess honey. There's a huge market out there for local organic honey. Once a hive starts producing a ton of honey, beekeepers will collect it, bottle it, and sell it to local shops or private buyers. Selling the honey usually isn't enough to make a full-time living, though. Many beekeepers will also sell their leftover beeswax, and offer services to remove established hives from people's yards.[16]
- Honey sales are regulated the same way as any other business; don't assume you can just harvest honey and start selling it without registering and creating a business!
- Many beekeepers don't make money—they do this as a hobby! A lot of beekeepers, if not most of them, maintain their hives simply because they enjoy beekeeping. Some beekeepers do it just so they have a source of honey for themselves! You don't have to start a business here, so if you just want to keep bees, go for it![17]
- Bees perform an important service in the environment, and you'll be doing your local ecosystem a huge favor if you start keeping bees!
[Edit]How much do beekeepers make per hive? - It can vary, but expect to make $600 per hive every year. While there's obviously going to be some variation from hive to hive, a single swarm of bees is capable of producing roughly $600 worth of honey per year. However, a lot of your potential profits depend on the local demand for organic honey in your area. Still, $600 a year is a reasonable goal if you're motivated.[18]
- Many beekeepers make deals with local grocery stores to sell their honey on their shelves, or go to farmer's markets to sell their products directly to the public.
- You probably won't make anything your first year. It takes most hives roughly 1 year to get established and comfortable enough to produce honey for you to harvest and sell. It depends on the weather where you live, the amount of nectar in your area, and the type of bees you're keeping, but it's safe to assume you won't make very much money your first year.[19]
- Most new beekeepers start off with 2 hives and then grow out from there. However, you can start with 1 hive if you want to take it slow and get your feet under you, or 3 or more hives if you're confident in your skills![20] You generally don't want to start off with more than 5 hives, though.[21]
- Join a local beekeeper's club or organization once you're established. They'll be able to offer guidance and feedback, which is extremely helpful early on in your career.[22]
[Edit]Warnings - Bees require access to a stable supply of stagnant water (they aren't fond of freshwater). If it's especially dry where you live, you must set up a water station full of water, corks, and sticks near the hive. If you don't, your bees may abandon you or start dying out.[23]
[Edit]Related wikiHows [Edit]References [Edit]Quick Summary |
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