Does frozen cooked shrimp really taste that bad?

[Anonymous]

I've been making spring rolls - I've had a craving, I don't know why. I've been mostly using pork as the meat but I'd like to do shrimp. But, being from the midwest, the only fish I've ever cooked is what we caught and I've never cooked seafood. I've never even cooked salmon and I have to say that I'm normally an exceptiona, adventurous l cook and who can do just about anything (especially if involves frying or potatoes ).

For some reason, I have this tentativeness about seafood and am wondering if I can just buy frozen cooked shrimp. Can I get buy with that or do I really have to bite the bullet and cook it myself? Oh - and I've got three kids age 6 and under and DH and I both work FT. I'm also interested in saving time and mess. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

One thing to consider is where the shrimp comes from.

http://www.edf.org/page.cfm?tagID=16302

This site is most concerned about health (that of humans and the oceans), but I've heard that more commonly found (imported) shrimp also don't taste as good.

[Anonymous]

I think the frozen shrimp that you get in the bag is a bit on the bland side and can even be mushy. On the other hand, pealing and devining shrimp is really a pain (I really, really hate devining). So sometimes what I do is I just get the fresh shrimp that is already pealed/devined. Or I'll just get the pre-cooked shrimp if all I want is shrimp cocktail.

[Anonymous]

I would just buy fresh cooked shrimp. It's already cleaned and ready to eat, and it tastes better than frozen.

Peeling and deveining is a pain, but you can also buy uncooked peeled & deveined shrimp if you want to cook it yourself - it's really very easy to cook.

[Anonymous]

funny. when people buy 'fresh' shrimp, it's typically previously been frozen. don't fool yourself.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:funny. when people buy 'fresh' shrimp, it's typically previously been frozen. don't fool yourself.

So true. It's always bland if you don't season it. Ready to eat doesn't always mean pour from bag and serve or mix in a dish.

[Anonymous]

I buy the frozen, peeled and deveined UNCOOKED shrimp. As a PP said, it takes no time to cook it and you can keep an eye on it so it doesn't turn mushy.

And I find the cooked fresh shrimp REALLY bland. When I make shrimp cocktail I boil the shrimp in pickling spices first, then drain and refrigerate to chill. It really makes a difference.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think the frozen shrimp that you get in the bag is a bit on the bland side and can even be mushy. On the other hand, pealing and devining shrimp is really a pain (I really, really hate devining). So sometimes what I do is I just get the fresh shrimp that is already pealed/devined. Or I'll just get the pre-cooked shrimp if all I want is shrimp cocktail.

The trick with frozen shrimp is how you defrost them - thaw in cold running water until just unfrozen, then dry them thoroughly with paper towels, wrap in dry paper towels and place in a sealed container then refrigerate them for a couple hours - they come out tasty and with firm flesh.

[Anonymous]

You can use the previously frozen or frozen and put it in the fridge in the morning. I like the ones that have been deveined but with shells on. I use the glad steam bags and put some Old Bay on them. They are quite good. Just be sure to thaw on the day you are going to cook them. Don't cook for more than about a minute and a half.

[Anonymous]

For your recipe, it would probably not hurt too much to use cooked, but it will be kind of rubbery.

But don't be afraid to cook shrimp! It is very easy. If you buy peeled, deveined shrimp (either fresh or thawed frozen), just saute it steam it or boil it. They turn red when they are cooked, in just a few minutes, so it's hard to go wrong except to leave them on too long.

[Anonymous]

OP here - Thanks so much for the responses. They've been most helpful! I just need to get over this wariness! How bad could it be?