Seafood isn’t for everyone. It is very much something that you love or hate, and some seafood is a lot fussier than others. In particular, a lot of people struggle with shrimp and prawns due to the way that they are served.
These types of fish are usually served with the head, and more notably the eyes, intact, and this can put a lot of people off eating them.
If you like the taste of shrimp, but don’t enjoy the way that they are usually presented, then you might enjoy shrimp paste. You can buy this paste in the store, but it is just as easy to make it yourself, and it tastes a lot better.
So, if you are considering making your own shrimp paste, then you are in the right place. I’ve put together this handy step-by-step guide to making shrimp paste to help. So, let’s get started.
What is Shrimp Paste?
Shrimp paste, or prawn sauce as it is often known, is usually made out of shrimp. You would probably expect this because of the name of the paste, however, it is not only made using shrimp.
In fact, you can also make shrimp paste using krill. So, if you haven’t got access to shrimp, then krill is a perfectly okay alternative.
The process of making shrimp paste is often a long one, as it involves fermenting the shrimp. However, the effort definitely pays off when you get to taste the finished product.
Shrimp paste often tastes rather salty as this is added during the process, and this salty flavor perfectly compliments the taste of the shrimp.
Your completed paste can then be used as a topping, served alone, or used in lots of different recipes. But where does shrimp paste come from? Let’s take a look.
Where does Shrimp Paste come from?
Even though shrimp paste is now enjoyed all over the world, this dish traditionally comes from Southeast Asia and is very popular in Chinese cuisine. Prawns and shrimp are popular flavors in these cuisines, and they are commonly used across many dishes.
Shrimp paste has been enjoyed in these areas for centuries, and it is only recently that it is becoming more popular in Western countries.
Shrimp paste is becoming very popular as it can be used in a lot of different dishes.
It is widely used as an ingredient in many Chinese recipes, and this property is now being recognized in Western culture too. From shrimp fried rice to shrimp toast, there are lots of dishes that you can use shrimp paste in.
But how do you make it? Keep on reading to find out all the ingredients that you need, and the method you should follow to make your own shrimp paste.
Ingredients: What You Need
Before you consider making your shrimp paste, I would recommend gathering all the equipment and ingredients that you need. This can seem a little tedious, but it will make the process of producing your shrimp paste a lot easier.
Here is a list of the ingredients and equipment you need in order to make shrimp paste.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound of fresh shrimp
- 2 sticks of unsalted butter
- 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
- ½ tsp of salt
- ½ tsp of black pepper
- ¼ cup of sherry
- ¼ tsp of cayenne pepper
Equipment:
- Skillet pan
- Food processor
- Ceramic bowl
- Sharp knife
Once you have gathered everything that I have listed above, you are ready to get started. Keep on reading to find out how to make your shrimp paste.
Recipe: Step-by-Step Guide
After all your equipment is ready, and you have the ingredients measured, you might think that you are ready to get started. But, before you do, I would recommend reading through this recipe and familiarizing yourself with it.
That way, there will be no confusion, and the process will be as easy as possible.
Step One: Prepare your Shrimp
In order to make your shrimp paste, the shrimp must be deveined and peeled. So, you will have to begin by doing this. To do this, you should take your shrimp and a sharp knife, then follow what I say next.
Peeling the shrimp is fairly easy, you should begin by taking hold of the head between your fingers and twisting it. This should cause it to detach, which will begin the peeling process.
You can then move to the bottom of the shrimp by the legs and dig your nail beneath the shell. This should be enough for the whole body to peel off, but if your nail is not sharp enough, you can use the knife instead.
You can then move on to deveining the shrimp. To do this, you will need to take a sharp knife and run it down the back of your shrimp to make a slit.
From here, you will usually be able to see the dark black vein and remove it yourself with your fingers. Repeat this for all the shrimp.
Step Two: Begin Cooking
Next, you should place your skillet on the hob and warm it up. Add your butter and wait until it begins frothing. When this occurs, add the shrimp, along with a seasoning of salt and pepper, and cook it on high heat for 5-7 minutes.
Stir throughout. When the shrimp are cooked, take them off the heat.
Step Three: Make your Paste
Take your shrimp off the heat and transfer them to the bowl of your food processor. Then cook your lemon juice, sherry, and cayenne in the skillet on the stove until reduced to roughly 3 tablespoons.
Once reduced, add the mixture to the food processor along with your shrimp, and butter. Then blend at high speed until it becomes a smooth consistency.
Turn off the processor and taste, add more seasoning if necessary. When you are happy, transfer to your ceramic bowl and enjoy.
Summary
In short, this has been a handy guide to how to make shrimp paste. So, if you want to try making your own shrimp paste, follow this recipe to make it as stress-free and enjoyable as possible.
