Quick Shrimp, Veggie, And Cheese Stir-Fry

There are several ways to cook frozen shrimp with vegetables and cheese, including baking, boiling, steaming, grilling, and stir-frying. The cooking time varies depending on the method and the size of the shrimp, but it typically ranges from 5 to 10 minutes. For example, baking frozen shrimp in the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-6 minutes or boiling them on the stove for 2-3 minutes are common methods. Before cooking, it is important to note whether the shrimp need to be thawed, which can be done overnight in the refrigerator or quickly under cold running water. Additionally, ensuring that the shrimp are not overlapping on the baking sheet or in the pot is crucial for even cooking.

Broiling shrimp with vegetables and cheese

Ingredients

For this recipe, you will need the following ingredients:

• Shrimp (fresh or frozen)
• Vegetables of your choice (such as broccoli, asparagus, mushrooms, spinach, or kale)
• Cheese (cheddar, feta, or any variety of your choice)
• Olive oil or avocado oil
• Spices and seasonings (such as garlic, lemon juice, cayenne, paprika, black pepper, onion powder, oregano)
• Breadcrumbs (optional)

Preparation

Begin by preheating your oven to a high broil setting, typically around 500°F (260°C).

If your shrimp is frozen, you will need to thaw it before cooking. You can do this by placing the shrimp in the refrigerator overnight, or by running them under cold water for an hour or less.

Once your shrimp is thawed, or if you are using fresh shrimp, rinse them under cold water to remove any ice crystals or residue. If the shrimp are unpeeled, you can leave the shell on for added flavour, or peel them beforehand. Ensure that the shrimp are deveined by making a shallow slit down the back of each shrimp and removing the black vein with a paring knife.

Cooking the Shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry and place them on a baking sheet lined with aluminium foil. Drizzle the shrimp with oil and season them with salt and black pepper, as well as any other spices or seasonings you desire. You can also add a breadcrumb coating for an extra crunch, though this is optional.

Place the baking sheet in the oven and broil the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn opaque and slightly curled. The cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp, so keep an eye on them to avoid overcooking.

Cooking the Vegetables

While the shrimp are cooking, you can prepare your vegetables. Cut the vegetables into bite-sized pieces and sauté them in a pan with a small amount of oil over medium heat. You can also season the vegetables with salt, pepper, and any other desired spices. Cook the vegetables until they are tender, but still slightly crisp.

Assembling the Dish

Once the shrimp and vegetables are cooked, you can assemble your dish. Place the vegetables on a plate or bowl and top them with the broiled shrimp. Sprinkle your favourite variety of cheese on top, and add any additional toppings or garnishes, such as chopped parsley or cilantro.

Serving

This dish can be served as a main course or appetizer. It goes well with a variety of sides, such as quinoa, couscous, or a tossed salad. You can also serve it with a dipping sauce, such as cocktail sauce or melted butter, on the side.

Tips and Variations

• For a Cajun-style dish, season your shrimp with cayenne, paprika, and garlic.
• For a Mediterranean twist, use lemon, garlic, oregano, and onion powder as your seasonings.
• You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as feta crumbles for a Greek-style dish.
• If you prefer your shrimp peeled, you can leave the tail on or remove it completely.

Cooking shrimp in the air fryer

How to Prepare the Shrimp

Start by cleaning the shrimp by removing the shells and veins. Pat them dry with paper towels before cooking. This will help the oil and seasonings stick to the shrimp during cooking.

How to Make the Shrimp Seasoning

In a separate bowl, mix your chosen spices, then add oil and mix well. You can use any spices you like, but some suggestions include:

• Sweet or smoked paprika
• Italian seasoning (or just oregano)
• Salt and black pepper
• Cayenne pepper
• Cajun seasoning
• Allspice
• Cloves
• Lemon pepper
• Nutmeg
• Cardamom

How to Cook the Shrimp

Preheat your air fryer to 400°F/200°C.

Coat the shrimp with the seasoning by either brushing it on or placing the shrimp in a bowl and pouring the blend over them, then mixing.

Arrange the shrimp in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with space around each one. If you have a lot of shrimp, work in batches.

Cook medium-sized shrimp for 6 minutes. Larger shrimp may take 8-10 minutes. There is no need to turn them while cooking.

How to Know When Shrimp Are Cooked

Before cooking, shrimp are a dull grey and white colour. When fully cooked, they will be pink/orange and form a C shape. If the shrimp has closed in on itself and looks like a circle, it is overcooked. A cooked shrimp will give a little resistance when pierced with a fork, but will still be tender.

Yes, you can use frozen shrimp in an air fryer. However, you should let the shrimp thaw and pat them dry before cooking.

Boiling shrimp on the stove

Step 1: Prepare the Shrimp and Water

If you are using frozen shrimp, make sure to thaw them first before boiling. You can place the frozen shrimp in the refrigerator to thaw overnight, or you can speed up the process by placing them in a strainer and running cold water over them. It is recommended to use medium to large shrimp that are already deveined.

For the water, fill a large pot about three-quarters full. You can also add some salt, pepper, lemon wedges, Old Bay seasoning, and bay leaves to the water for extra flavour.

Step 2: Bring the Water to a Boil

Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. Cover the pot to make the water boil faster. Once the water reaches a rolling boil, remove it from the heat and let it stop boiling.

Step 3: Add the Shrimp

Remove the shells from the shrimp before adding them to the pot. You can leave the tails on if desired. Add the shrimp to the pot and stir gently. Cover the pot again and let the shrimp sit in the hot water for 5-6 minutes, or until they turn opaque and pink. The shrimp are poaching in the residual heat of the water, so make sure the stove is turned off.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

After 5-6 minutes, check the shrimp to see if they are done. They should be opaque and pink in colour. If they still look a bit mushy, leave them in the hot water for another minute or two. Overcooking the shrimp will make them rubbery, so it is important to not boil them for too long.

Step 5: Cool the Shrimp

If you are serving the shrimp cold, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice cubes and cold water. Drain the hot water from the pot and transfer the cooked shrimp to the ice bath. Let them sit for a few minutes to fully cool down before draining and serving.

If you are serving the shrimp warm, simply drain off the hot water and serve immediately. You can add them to a sauce, squeeze some lemon over them, or enjoy them as is.

Baking shrimp in the oven

Preparation:

Before you begin, decide on the size of shrimp you will be using. The baking time will vary depending on whether you are using medium, large, or extra-large shrimp. For example, medium shrimp will need about 6-7 minutes, while extra-large shrimp may require up to 9 minutes.

Defrosting:

If your shrimp are frozen, it is best to defrost them first. There are two recommended methods for doing this:

• Place the shrimp in a colander and run cold water over them for about 5 minutes. Gently separate any shrimp that are stuck together.
• Alternatively, take the shrimp out of the freezer and place them in the refrigerator the night before you plan to cook them.

Seasoning:

Once your shrimp are defrosted, it's time to add some flavour! You can use a variety of seasonings, such as:

• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Garlic powder
• Smoked paprika
• Chili powder
• Lemon juice
• Cajun seasoning
• Old Bay seasoning
• Za'atar

Simply toss the shrimp in a large bowl with your chosen seasonings and oil until they are well coated. You can also add minced garlic for extra flavour.

Baking:

Preheat your oven to 400°F. Spread the seasoned shrimp in a single layer on a baking sheet, making sure they are not overlapping. Place the baking sheet in the middle rack of the oven and bake for about 8-10 minutes. The shrimp are done when they turn from blue-grey and translucent to white, pink, and opaque. Be careful not to overcook them, as this can make them rubbery.

Serving:

Once your shrimp are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and serve immediately. They go well with grains like quinoa, rice, or pasta. You can also add some baked vegetables on the side. Don't forget to drizzle those tasty juices from the baking sheet over your dish!

Poaching shrimp

Prepare the poaching liquid:

Fill a medium or large saucepan with water—the amount of water will depend on the number of shrimp you're cooking. For 12-15 shrimp, a 3-quart pot is sufficient, but for more shrimp, you'll need a larger pot. Fill the pot about 3/4 full of water.

Add seasonings and aromatics:

Start by seasoning the water with salt—about 1/2 teaspoon should be enough. You can also add other aromatics like half a lemon (squeeze the juice into the pot first and then add the squeezed lemon half), peppercorns, and fresh parsley. These additional ingredients aren't necessary, but they will enhance the flavour of your shrimp.

Bring the water to a boil:

Place the pot on the stove and turn the heat to high. Let the water come to a rapid boil.

Remove from heat and add shrimp:

Once the water is boiling, remove the pot from the heat. Then, add the shrimp to the hot water. You can leave the shells on for more flavour, but make sure to remove the heads, if any.

Cover and let the shrimp cook:

Cover the pot and let the shrimp sit in the hot water for 4-6 minutes. The cooking time will depend on the size of your shrimp. Smaller shrimp (71-90 per pound) will only need 1-2 minutes, while larger shrimp (21-25 per pound) may take up to 5-6 minutes. The shrimp are done when they turn opaque and pink, and curl into a loose "C" shape.

Prepare an ice bath:

While the shrimp are cooking, prepare an ice bath by filling a large bowl with ice cubes and cold water. This will be used to stop the cooking process and cool down the shrimp after they're done.

Drain and chill the shrimp:

Once the shrimp are cooked, drain off the hot liquid and transfer the shrimp to the ice bath. Leave them in the ice bath for a few minutes to fully cool off before draining.

Serve or use in your desired recipe:

Your poached shrimp are now ready to be served or used in your favourite recipes, such as shrimp cocktail, salads, pasta dishes, or rice bowls. Enjoy!

Frequently asked questions