A few months ago I decided to stop composting shrimp shells and tails and started freezing them. I love to make homemade chicken, turkey, and beef stock, so why not shrimp stock?
It took many a meals to get enough for this batch, but it sure was worth it! I made some delicious shrimp risotto with part of it (recipe to come at a future date) and plan on using the rest in either an Asian-style soup or perhaps some gumbo. What would you use shrimp stock in? I’d love to hear your ideas!
UPDATE! How silly of me. Happy Halloween! This is me in my costume that won at my workplace yesterday. My not-so-evil-grinning Wednesday Addams.
Golden Shrimp Stock
Adapted from emerils.com
4 to 5 ounces shrimp shells and tails
1 teaspoon vegetable oil
5 cups water
1/4 cup each chopped onions, celery, and carrots
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
1 small bay leaf
1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
Dash of salt
1 sprig fresh thyme (or large pinch dried)
Large pinch of dried parsley
Rinse the shells and tails in a colander and set aside to drain.
In a stockpot or Dutch oven, heat the oil over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp shells and tails and stir around and cook until the shells are a bright pink, about 5 minutes.
Add the water and the rest of the ingredients. Turn the heat to high, and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat until the stock is at a low simmer, then continue simmering for about an hour more.
Strain the stock through a fine mesh sieve (mine was also lined with additional cotton mesh) into a heatproof container. Allow to cool, then cover and refrigerate for up to three days until use. The stock can also be frozen in zip-top freezer bags for future use.
Great idea, Kathryn. And now I’ve totally got a yen for gumbo! Drat, and I have no okra. 🙂 Maybe next week.
You’re so creative, I’m sure you will find many uses for this stock. Happy Halloween hugs!
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Teagan, I had a total brain freeze when I posted. Refresh your page, I added a Halloween photo! And thank you so much, gumbo sure does sound good right now. Happy Halloween Hugs back at you!
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Awesome Wednesday Adams costume! Even the expression. Hugs!
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…one of the many things I can’t do in my current predicament. But the good news is, I have 2 gallon-sized freezer bags of shrimp shells on Chestnut Lane that I use for this very purpose. One of these years I need to mail you a few Kaffir Lime leaves to throw into the mix. Excellent, Kathryn! (And the costume looks great.)
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Thanks Adam! Well hopefully it won’t be too much longer that you can make use of said shells. (And the offer of Kaffir Lime leaves would not go un-thanked!)
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Great idea. Home made stock is so much more flavorful than store bought. And your costume…incredible! I love it!
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Thanks Michelle, the costume was fun to put together!
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What a great costume! Love your stock. Isn’t it in a way really fun to use every extra bone, every shell, even onion peels?!!
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YES Mimi! I even put onion peels in my chicken and beef stock. And thank you, I enjoyed being Wednesday on Friday. 🙂
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I love making my own stock and will make yours as soon as I get enough shrimp shells and tails. You look cute as Wednesday, Happy Halloween!
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Thank you Gerlinde, Happy Halloween to you too! It does take awhile to amass enough for a batch when you only have two shrimp-eaters in the house. 🙂
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Excellent Kathryn. You know my view on home made stock. Love the outfit. Very creative and a little eerie.
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Ahh thank you so much Conor!
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Hahaha Love the Halloween costume Kathryn!!! Great recipe for shrimp stock too. I’ve never made a shrimp stock before and I just might have to put this recipe on my “to make” list. I bet it would make for a delicious shrimp bisque 🙂
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We always save our shrimp shells in the freezer. When we have enough we make stock and then the shells are frozen again until garbage day.
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The most delicious blog I’ve ever visited;)
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Why thank you so much Amir! I am enjoying reading your book reviews.
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It’s kind of you miss:)
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Yumm! Looks divine☺
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Thank you Lina!
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