The easiest way to clean shrimp or prawns

You probably don’t want to hear this, but it really is better to remove the digestive tract from prawns before cooking them. It’s fiddly, indeed, but eating shrimp poop may be even lower on your list of things you want to…

So, here’s a short course on cleaning shrimp. We’re talking about those big ones, prawns that is. With a little practice, you’ll get the hang of it eventually!

How to remove the digestive tract from large shrimp

1. Bend the shrimp’s head slightly downward, following the ‘curve’. You can now see the digestive tract running toward the tail beneath the head.
2. Place the blunt side of the tip of a small knife underneath the tract.
3. Carefully lift it so you can pinch the tract between two fingers.
4. Remove the knife, hold the tail straight, and carefully pull out the digestive tract.
5. If you bought prawns without their shells, carefully cut open the back, not too deeply, and once again use the blunt side of a small knife to loosen the digestive tract so you can pull it out.

How to peel large shrimp

1. Hold the prawn in one hand with its back facing downward and its head toward you.
2. Work your thumb under the shell between the legs closest to you, and move it from side to side. Now run your thumb along one side past all the legs until they come loose, then pull off the shell. You can leave the head on or remove it.

How to butterfly large shrimp

Proceed as you would when cleaning peeled prawns, but cut them slightly deeper. This creates a butterfly effect as the shrimp cook, making them curl nicely inward. They are often served this way in Asian noodle soups.

Read also:

• Common mistakes when preparing shrimp
• Recipe: Noodle salad with shrimp and mango
• Shrimp vs. prawn: what’s the difference?

Source: Chef’s Pencil