How to choose mantis shrimp for your cooking? How to prepare crayfish for cooking? TOP-3 recipes for Mantis Shrimps: pasta with creamy sauce, in red wine, boiled classic shrimps.
Mantis Shrimp (mantis shrimp, mantis shrimp) is a unique inhabitant of the world's oceans. If the name of the species was given not by biologists, but by chefs and tasters, then it is likely that this delicacy would have flaunted under the most exotic names, because the delicate taste of the peacock mantis shrimp or its relatives is difficult to compare with other seafood. Delicate aroma and sweetish aftertaste vaguely similar to lobster meat, but still unique and inimitable. However, in order to fully enjoy an exquisite dish, you need to know a number of subtleties.
How to Choose Mantis Shrimps?
Before talking about the methods of how to cook mantis shrimp, let's understand the complexities of product selection. There are about 400 species of these animals in the world, most of which live in the warm coastal waters of the Indian Ocean, some species are also found in the Mediterranean Sea. And in each of the regions, shrimp are eaten. For example, the Italian dish kanokchye, the key ingredient of which is mantis peacock shrimp, is considered a real delicacy, and not every tourist will be able to find it in a restaurant.
Dishes with this seafood can be found in the menus of Italian restaurants, in Spain, Turkey, Thailand, the mantis shrimp is sold even on the beaches. But there are often cases when there are too many people for one restaurant who want to taste this particular dish. To get the coveted portion, the tourist will have to come almost to the opening of the restaurant.
Here it should be understood that each region has its own type of crustacean, which means that the taste and texture of meat will be different in each country. And the meat processing technology may differ. Therefore, if you want to experience the pure taste of mantis shrimp, it is better to look for seafood in fish markets and cook it yourself or pass it to the kitchen of specialized restaurants. Such restaurants often open near the market and are prepared from products brought by visitors.
The first fishing for mantis crayfish begins in late autumn or early winter, so if you visit a warm country in hot summer, give preference to restaurant tasting, but not to market products. Since, most likely, an inexperienced tourist will be offered a different type of shrimp.
The time to "hunt" these crayfish is at night, so it is best to come to the fish market in search of fresh produce early in the morning. You need to buy a mantis shrimp alive, so that later, without delay, immediately cook it. Stale seafood has a characteristic smell, and old crayfish have practically no meat. Knowing these subtleties, you can easily choose a good product.
Note! It is not uncommon for restaurants to serve spaghetti with shrimp or mantis shrimp sauce. However, it is unlikely that you will be able to see a large piece of meat in a dish, since it is cut into very small pieces for the sauce. The chef's trick will allow you to feel the subtle aroma of exotic seafood, but still it will not always be possible to fully enjoy the meat. To taste large shrimps, you will have to cook them yourself.
Features of cooking shrimp mantis
The first serving of fragrant shrimp is best taken small. Choose the freshest crayfish for exactly the number of people who will taste the dish. These crustaceans, although actively fished in coastal waters, are not endangered species. A fresh delicacy is easy to find in seafood markets.
Before preparing the product, it must be thoroughly rinsed under running water and then cleaned. During cleaning, the cancer can sprinkle with "juice", so it is better to put on an apron before starting work, and cover the table with newspaper.
It is very simple to clean the mantis shrimp: with sharp scissors we cut off the head right at the point of articulation with the body, and then, starting from the tail, carefully cut off the edges of the shell. We try to make the cut so as to remove only the shell layer. We turn the shrimp upside down and with the help of scissors remove the "skirt" - the processes with which the shrimp moved in the water.
The cleaned body is ready for further processing. To enjoy delicious meat, with this method of cleaning, it will be enough to pry the rest of the shell with a fork without getting your hands dirty. You must admit that the correct serving and an easy way of cleaning mean no less for tasting dishes than exotic meat.
Another cleaning technique is a straight cut along the ridge line. After making such an incision, you need to get the intestine (small black tube). And if the mantis shrimp is small, this stage can be omitted by washing the contents well. With this technology for preparing meat, the taste of the dish will turn out to be rich, but you will have to clean the meat already during the meal.
Mantis shrimp in Thailand is consumed completely. The head is not thrown away, but sold as a separate delicacy. Crustacean brains are sucked out by lovers of exotic cuisine. Of course, only large individuals from the Indian water area are suitable for such a culinary delight. Self-processing of seafood for such a dish is not recommended. In this case, it is better to trust the professionals of Thai cuisine.
Note! Although mantis shrimp or mantis are not rare species, be prepared that the price of this particular species in fish markets will be above average. The reason for this is the tender and sweet meat of the product. Although it cannot be ruled out that the high price of shrimp is fueled by the interest of tourists.
TOP 3 Mantis Shrimp Recipes
Each region of the catch of this seafood has its own recipes for mantis shrimp. In Italy and Spain, it is customary to add aromatic wine to the sauce, while in Asia they prefer to stew meat in their own juice. Whichever recipe you choose, carefully read the specifics of the cooking. Do not change the recommended seasonings and cooking conditions unless urgently needed. Then you can fully enjoy the delicate taste of shrimp mantis meat.
Pasta with mantis shrimps in a creamy sauce
Mantis shrimp is very high in protein and low in carbohydrates, making it an excellent dietary product. But at the same time, crayfish are mostly served as part of a sauce for pasta. This should be taken into account by those who monitor the calorie intake.
- Caloric content per 100 g - 182 kcal.
- Servings - 3
- Cooking time - 25 minutes
Ingredients:
- Tagliatella noodles or Festonate pasta - 6 nests
- Shrimp mantis - 300 g
- Parmesan - 100 g
- Cream - 200 ml
- Water - 400 ml
- Butter - 50 g
- Olive oil - 1 tablespoon
- Spinach - 75 g
- Garlic - 4 cloves
- Salt, pepper - to taste
Step-by-step preparation of pasta with mantis shrimps in a creamy sauce:
- We prepare the ingredients for heat treatment: wash the spinach thoroughly and chop finely, peel and crush the garlic with a knife, rinse the shrimp under running water and peel.
- Preheat a frying pan with a wide bottom and high sides. Melt the butter with the addition of olive oil at the maximum temperature.
- Put the shrimps in a hot pan and sprinkle with crushed garlic on top. We keep in this state for 20-30 seconds, and then turn over, salt and pepper.
- Keep shrimps on each side for no more than 30 seconds. The total frying time is 1.5 minutes. Put the finished shrimp on a plate, and remove the garlic.
- Put the pan on the fire again, slightly reducing the maximum heating mode (the temperature should be above average). Pour cream and water into the pan, add one pinch of salt.
- Lower the nests of aldente noodles into the pan and close the lid. As soon as the sauce starts to boil, remove the lid. And during this time we can grate the cheese on a fine "carrot" grater.
- After 2-3 minutes of boiling the sauce, stir. Add finely chopped spinach and parmesan and mix thoroughly again.
- At the final stage of cooking, return the shrimp to the pan and mix well.
- Hot pasta is immediately served to the table, garnished with additional grated cheese.
Pasta is one of the simplest recipes for how to cook mantis shrimp at home. At the same time, the cost price of the dish will be much lower than in an Italian restaurant, and the taste is no less appetizing. The spinach in the recipe adds freshness and color, so it is not recommended to remove it from the recipe. But in general, like most Italian recipes, this mantis shrimp recipe can be customized by changing the proportions and adding seasonings to the sauce.
Note! The specified amount of paste requires 600 ml of liquid. If you take 33% cream for cooking, then use a proportion of 200 ml of cream and 400 ml of water. If you take cream of a lower fat content, then their amount should increase. Some gourmets prefer to cook this dish with milk. In this case, only 200 ml of water is taken, and 400 ml of milk.
Mantis shrimp in red wine
The mantis peacock shrimp is distinguished by its large size and unusual appearance. But in cooking, non-standard taste characteristics of the product attract much more attention. Delicate elastic, but also incredibly juicy meat goes well with red wine. This dish of Italian cuisine is served without a side dish and is very satisfying and appetizing.
Ingredients:
- Shrimp mantis - 500 g
- Tomatoes - 250 g
- Dry red wine - 1 tbsp.
- Olive oil - 3 tablespoons
- Garlic - 4 cloves
- Parsley - for decoration
- Salt to taste
Step-by-step cooking of mantis shrimp in red wine:
- Rinse the mantis shrimp thoroughly under running water, remove the intestines from large individuals.
- Finely chop the parsley, and crush the peeled garlic with a knife blade. Cut the tomatoes into thin slices.
- Heat the olive oil in a frying pan, and then fry the garlic cloves until golden brown.
- We move the pan over low heat and simmer the tomatoes in it for 10 minutes. If desired, tomatoes can be salted. Stir the mixture every 2-3 minutes.
- Pour a glass of red wine into the pan, put the shrimps, and pour parsley on top. We close the lid and leave it for 5-7 minutes over low heat.
- Ready-made shrimps are laid out on a dish and served without decorations.
If you decide to try this method, how to cook mantis shrimp, then serve the dish to the table with fresh vegetables on a separate plate or lemon juice. In this case, bread-bruschetta will become a traditional addition to crayfish.
Note! The highlight of the dish is not only the taste, but the self-cutting of the shrimp by the taster. Therefore, it is recommended to use the partial cleansing method (make one incision in the back of the shrimp, taking out the intestines, but no more).
Boiled Mantis Shrimps
This recipe for how to cook mantis shrimp is suitable for active travelers. The classic technology of boiling shrimp allows you to preserve the real taste of seafood, and, accordingly, taste various subspecies of crustaceans in all corners of the earth. If you don't like the Mantis Shrimp, then most likely this is not your kind. In a different area, the taste of seafood may be different to your liking.
Ingredients:
- Shrimp mantis - 500 g
- Water - 1.5 l
- Salt, lemon juice - optional
Step by step preparation of boiled Mantis Shrimp:
- If you managed to buy fresh mantis shrimp at the fish market, then after rinsing under running water, immediately pour it into salted boiling water. It is not necessary to peel the shrimp.
- As soon as they come up, remove the pan from the heat and drain the water.
- Sprinkle the finished dish with lemon juice and serve.
If you purchased frozen shrimp, then it is advisable to slowly defrost them in the refrigerator before cooking. After the crayfish float in boiling water, they must be allowed to boil for another 3-5 minutes. If the frozen meat has already been peeled, the cooking time is reduced.
Important! Long-term heat treatment makes the shrimp meat tough, "rubbery". When cooking, it is necessary to strictly observe the processing time of meat, otherwise you run the risk of getting "soles from boots" instead of fragrant meat.
Video recipes for mantis shrimp
Mantis shrimp is not just an exotic marine animal, but a real delicacy. And while mantis shrimp is easily caught in coastal tropical regions, restaurant meals made from this miracle product are incredibly expensive. The high cost is due to the delicate, sweetish taste of large seafood meat, but also due to its popularity among tourist travelers. At the same time, restaurant dishes do not always convey the full range of taste of this product. To enjoy the real flavor of Mantis shrimp, it is best to buy freshly caught crustaceans from your local fish market and cook it yourself. Moreover, the processing of shrimp does not require serious cooking knowledge and special culinary equipment. If desired, everyone can enjoy the exquisite taste of Mantis shrimp.
