Buzz
Sun-dried shrimp is a favorite dish, much like shredded pork or sesame-coated peanuts, as it can be enjoyed for a long time and is easy to store.
To achieve these delightful sun-dried shrimp, it involves several steps, each requiring patience and meticulousness to create delicious and visually appealing dried shrimp that can be stored for an extended period. This article will guide you through the simple yet nutritious process of making sun-dried shrimp right in your own kitchen.
Ingredients for making sun-dried shrimp
- 1 kg of fresh live shrimp (you can use prawns or freshwater shrimp)
- 300g of sea salt crystals
- 1 ginger root
- 500ml of filtered water
Crystal-clear glass container
Ingredients for homemade dried shrimp
Homemade dried shrimp recipe
Step 1: Prepare ingredients for making dried shrimp
- Clean the purchased shrimp thoroughly with water and let it drain
- Clean the ginger, remove the skin, and crush it
Prepare the ingredients for making dried shrimp
Step 2: Boil the shrimp
Boil a pot of water, add 300g of sea salt, and smash ginger into it. Then, add shrimp and stir until they turn red. Remove the shrimp and let them cool.
You can spread the shrimp thinly on a clean tray for quick drying.
Proceed to boil the shrimp.
Step 3: Peel the shrimp.
- After boiling, let the shrimp cool down, then proceed to peel off the shrimp shell, remove the black vein along the back, rinse it thoroughly with water, and let it drain.
Peeling off the shrimp shell
Step 4: Make dried shrimp
You can make dried shrimp by drying them naturally in the sunlight.
Spread the shrimp evenly on a clean surface or tray for quick and uniform drying. It is advisable to expose the shrimp to direct sunlight from 11 am to 4 pm for rapid and even drying. This timing ensures that the shrimp dries quickly, becomes fragrant, and avoids exposing it during cool weather, which may cause discoloration and reduce the quality of the shrimp.
Perform the shrimp drying process 4-5 times, each time for about 2-3 hours. After each drying session, check the dryness of the shrimp. If the shrimp meat is dry, has no water, has a deep red color, and firm flesh, then the shrimp is considered complete.
Drying Shrimp Using Sunlight
During the drying process, use a thin cloth or a thin fabric to cover the shrimp surface to prevent flies and mosquitoes from entering and causing diseases.
Making dried shrimp with a microwave
- Place the shrimp on a plate and set the microwave to medium heat. Microwave the shrimp for 15 minutes, then use chopsticks to flip them over and microwave for another 15 minutes to ensure even drying on both sides.
- Check the shrimp every 3 minutes and repeat this process 2-3 times until the shrimp are evenly dried and have a soft texture. Over-microwaving can result in overly stiff shrimp, affecting the quality of the meat.
Making dried shrimp with a microwave
Creating dried shrimp using an air fryer
- Spread the shrimp evenly in the air fryer and cook at 150 degrees Celsius. After 20 minutes, flip the shrimp and continue drying at 150 degrees Celsius for another 20 minutes. Remove the shrimp and let them cool.
Making air-fried dried shrimp
Making dried shrimp in the oven
Preheat the oven to 120°C and wait until the grilling tray is hot. Place the prawns on the tray and grill for 15 minutes. Flip the prawns using tongs and grill for an additional 15 minutes. After 30 minutes, check the dryness of the prawns. If they're not dry yet, grill for an extra 3-5 minutes.
Making dried prawns using the oven
Making dried prawns in a pan
Heat a pan on the stove, then reduce the heat to low. Add the prawns and quickly toss them until they are dry, soft, and firm. This should take just a few minutes.
For better results, consider dividing the shrimp into multiple batches to ensure quick drying and enhanced flavor.
Try making dried shrimp using a pan
Step 5: How to store dried shrimp
Once the dried shrimp are ready, place them in a tightly sealed glass container and store them in the cool compartment of the refrigerator for maximum preservation.
Tips for preserving dried shrimp
- When storing dried shrimp in a cool compartment of the refrigerator, it can be used for 5 - 7 days; with the freezer, it remains usable for up to 1 month.
- Utilize it for dishes like shrimp paste or shrimp in tomato sauce...
