Spices for shrimp and crayfish: which ones are best, how to add them correctly

Seafood connoisseurs are well aware of how important it is to choose the right ingredients for them. A successful seasoning for shrimp will provide expressive taste and add a great aroma. By supplementing the meat of river or sea crayfish with suitable products, you will be able to make it even more appetizing and fully enjoy the vibrant gastronomic sensations.

The most popular spices and seasonings for shrimp and crayfish

When cooking shrimp and crustaceans, it is necessary to use additives that will not harm their special taste. Spices and seasonings should be introduced little by little, without exceeding the recommended amount. The following are the main products used in the cooking process.

Dill

This type of greens is best suited for shrimp. When cooking, various options can be used:

• fresh dill;
• dried;
• seeds.

Basically, the seasoning is added when the meat is boiled.As a result, it is possible to preserve the natural taste as much as possible and add a light piquant note.

Bay leaf

Belongs to universal additives. It is used when cooking seafood more often than other options. Laurel emphasizes the taste of seafood and gives it an exciting aroma.

Most cooks recommend adding bay leaves when cooking. If frying is carried out, they are used in crushed form. This seasoning is usually used at the initial stage of cooking.

Garlic

A small amount of the vegetable will make the dish piquant and temptingly smelling. Even a true gourmet will love this treat.

Garlic is mainly used when frying shrimp in a frying pan. It is used in crushed or dried form.

Nutmeg

The seasoning has a unique taste that evokes the sympathy of many seafood lovers. It is enough to take it in a small volume, and the dish will turn out unique.

There are many uses for nutmeg:

• in the marinade used before frying;
• in stewing sauce;
• for sprinkling the finished treat.

Most often, nutmeg is used for shrimp meat. Fans of unusual treats also use it when cooking crayfish.

Pepper

To preserve the tenderness of the taste, you should choose less hot varieties. The most suitable option for shrimp and crayfish is white pepper, which has a subtle aroma.

If you want to give the dish more expressiveness, you can use other types of products. Black, allspice, red pepper, and mixtures of several varieties would be appropriate.

According to professionals, sweet types are not the best addition to seafood.It is not recommended to use paprika or bell pepper during cooking.

Citrus

They add pleasant sourness and freshness. Lemon juice is used mainly when processing crayfish and shrimp. To get a decent result, you need to use freshly squeezed substance from ripe fruits.

How to prepare ready-made spice mixtures for shrimp and crayfish yourself

By combining several seasonings together, you can get an excellent addition to shrimp and crayfish meat. Below are the best ways to prepare ready-made mixtures and simple recommendations for their use.

Combination of herbs

Spicy plants will help enhance the taste of seafood products and make them more harmonious. Use a combination of the following ingredients:

• tarragon leaves;
• dill seeds;
• dried basil;
• fresh mint (melissa).

These components are added during the cooking process. To decorate an already prepared delicacy, you can use another mixture of aromatic ingredients - young garlic and fresh herbs (parsley, dill).

Universal seasoning

This option is suitable for any dishes that use seafood. Components:

• bay leaf and dry dill – 5 g each;
• black and allspice peas – 5 g each;
• dill seed – 2 g;
• tarragon – 3 g;
• garlic powder – 5 g;
• salt (preferably sea salt).

Laurel leaves, peppercorns, dill seeds are thoroughly crushed and mixed. Combine with garlic powder, small parts of dill and tarragon. Add salt to taste, then place the mixture in a clean container with a tight-fitting lid.

Dill supplement

There is another way to make aromatic seasoning at home.To do this, you only need to have one component on hand - dill seeds.

The product must be thoroughly crushed until it becomes a powder. After this, they are sprinkled on already cooked food. As a result, it will be possible to maintain excellent taste and impart light, unobtrusive notes.

Seasonings for the sauce

Sea shrimp will become much more appetizing if served with sauces. One of the best options is garlic dressing, to which the following ingredients are added:

• 4-5 cloves of garlic;
• 1 g ground black pepper.

The listed components are placed in a clean container, 50 ml of vegetable oil, a little salt and sugar are added. Use a blender for mixing.

Garlic and black pepper are also used in the preparation of a creamy sauce, which is often served with seafood. The basis for this dressing will be 30% fat cream, taken in an amount of 100 ml. To them add 2 crushed garlic cloves, 0.5 g ground black pepper, 3 g sugar. Add salt to taste and mix well.

Recipes for shrimp and crayfish with spices

Seafood products, properly prepared at home, are practically in no way inferior to restaurant delicacies. Below are recipes using which you can create real culinary masterpieces.

Advice! If you plan to eat crayfish and want to fully enjoy the great taste, cook them only alive. You can buy such arthropods or catch them in water bodies yourself. Before putting the crustaceans into the pan, you need to keep them in clean water for at least an hour. A similar procedure is required in order to remove all contaminants.

Boiled shrimp

Dish ingredients:

• shrimp – 1 kg;
• onion head;
• bay leaf – 2 pcs.;
• allspice – 2 peas;
• fresh dill;
• dried cloves.

Seafood products are defrosted and all liquid is drained. Place a pan filled with water ½ full on the stove. Add all the listed ingredients to the container, salt to taste and bring to a boil.

When the mixture begins to boil, add shrimp to it, cover with a lid and turn off the heat. After this, the shrimp meat should remain in the pan for another 2-3 minutes. Then the water is drained, the cooked product is taken out and served.

Fried shrimp meat

The meal includes:

• shrimp – 1 kg;
• freshly squeezed lemon juice;
• black peppercorns;
• dill (preferably fresh).

Thawed shrimp are freed from their shells and sent to marinate along with all the listed ingredients. After half an hour, start frying.

The carcasses are kept in the pan for 3-5 minutes. You can use any type of oil, but it is best to have olive oil on hand.

Baking in the oven

Baked seafood products not only turn out to be very tender and aromatic, but also retain maximum beneficial properties. The washed shrimp are distributed on a baking sheet and poured with sauce. To make the dressing, heat a little butter and vegetable oil, combine with chopped garlic, pepper, lemon juice, and salt.

The product covered with sauce is baked for 5–10 minutes at a temperature of +200 °C. Before eating, you can sprinkle the dish with your favorite herbs or grated nutmeg.

Classic recipe for boiled crayfish

Many gourmets are unanimous in their opinion - you don’t need to use a lot of spices to cook crayfish. It is enough to use traditional, time-tested components.

For cooking you will need:

• crayfish - on average, about 20-25 pieces;
• dill – 1 bunch;
• laurel leaf – 5 pcs.;
• allspice – 10-15 peas.

After boiling 2 liters of water in a container, add chopped dill, bay leaf and pepper. Also add two tablespoons of salt. The liquid should boil a little more, after which the crayfish are sent to the pan.

Cooking takes about 10-15 minutes. The complete readiness of the treat is indicated by the intense redness of the shells. After this, turn off the fire and leave the crayfish in the water for another 10 minutes. Before eating the dish, it is sprinkled with herbs and decorated with thin lemon slices.

Crawfish in spicy sauce

Ingredients of this spicy delicacy:

• 1 kg of crayfish;
• 2-3 garlic cloves;
• 1\3 tsp. ground black pepper;
• 200 ml dry white wine;
• one head of onion;
• several medium-sized tomatoes.

Tomatoes, stripped of their skin, are brought to a puree consistency. Chop the onion and garlic and fry them in vegetable oil. Add tomato mass to the fried vegetables, salt and pepper at your own discretion. Next, keep the ingredients on low heat for another 10 minutes.

While the hot sauce is being prepared, cook the crayfish in boiling water. Taking them out of the pan, pour them with tomato sauce, add dry white wine and simmer over medium heat for 10-15 minutes.

Once you have prepared your seafood using the preferred method, you also need to consume it correctly. Shrimp are eaten by holding the head and removing the legs. Boiled crayfish are eaten from the tail, cutting the claws and back, removing the gastric and intestinal parts, which have a bitter taste.