How to Prepare Shrimp for Chinese Cooking

Method4 steps

1. 1

   Step 1: Put the 1–2 lb raw peeled and deveined shrimp in a large mixing bowl. Add the 2 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp salt and 1 tsp baking soda, and gently massage them into the shrimp.

   Uses 1–2 lb raw shrimp, peeled and deveined · 2 tbsp sugar · 1 tbsp salt · 1 tsp baking soda

   
2. 2

   Step 2: Add the 1 cup ice water and 1 cup ice, and stir. Cover and refrigerate for 1–2 hours, checking from 1 hour; keep the shrimp at 4°C/40°F or below throughout the soak.

   Refrigerate the shrimp conditioning soak · 60 minUses Raw shrimp coated with the conditioning ingredients · 1 cup ice water · 1 cup ice

   
3. 3

   Step 3: Pour away the used conditioning liquid. Add cold rinsing water to the bowl, gently stir the shrimp and pour the water away. Repeat this rinse twice more, for three rinses in total, to remove excess salt, sugar and baking soda.

   Uses Cold soaked raw shrimp, lifted from the used conditioning liquid · Cold water for three rinses after the soak

4. 4

   Step 4: Drain the rinsed shrimp well. Keep them refrigerated and use promptly in your chosen cooked shrimp recipe; this conditioning step has not cooked them.

   Uses Rinsed raw shrimp, separated from discarded rinsing water