Luxurious Shrimp Shell Stock
Elevate your culinary creations with this Luxurious Shrimp Shell Stock, designed to infuse your dishes with a depth of flavor that bottled stocks simply can't match. Crafted from the freshest shrimp shells and a medley of aromatic vegetables, this rich stock is not only economical but also environmentally conscious. By saving kitchen scraps like onion skins, carrot ends, and herb stems, you transform waste into a vibrant foundation for soups, risottos, gumbo, and more. The delicate sweetness of the shrimp, combined with the savory notes from the vegetables and herbs, makes this stock a must-have in your kitchen. Plus, it’s a breeze to prepare—just simmer and strain! Avoid the expense of store-bought alternatives and embrace this easy, rewarding method for making your own exquisite seafood stock.
N/A
Servings
30
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1 teaspoon (None)
shrimp shells
4 cups (From about 2 pounds of fresh or frozen shrimp)
red onion
1 (Unpeeled and sliced)
carrot
1 (Organic, sliced)
celery
1 (Organic, sliced)
tomato paste
2 tablespoons (Or 1/4 cup leftover rich tomato sauce)
garlic cloves
3 (Smashed)
parsley
1 sprig (Fresh)
thyme
1 sprig (Fresh)
chives
1 sprig (Fresh)
oregano
1 sprig (Fresh)
bay leaf
1-2 (Dried or fresh)
fennel seed
1/8 teaspoon (None)
black pepper
To taste (None)
water
6 cups (Or enough to cover the ingredients)
Instructions
1
In a large stock pot, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the shrimp shells and sauté for about 8-10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the shells turn pink and fragrant. This step significantly enhances the flavor of your stock.
2
Add the sliced red onion, carrot, celery, tomato paste (or leftover tomato sauce), smashed garlic cloves, and all the fresh herbs to the pot. Stir well to combine the ingredients.
3
Cover the pot and let the mixture cook for an additional 10-15 minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and release their juices. Add a pinch of salt to help draw out the flavors.
4
Once the vegetables have softened, pour in enough water to cover the mixture (about 6 cups). Bring the pot to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
5
Reduce the heat to low and let the stock simmer for at least 20 minutes. For an even richer flavor, allow it to simmer longer if time permits, up to an hour.
6
After simmering, strain the stock through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl or pot, pressing down on the solids to extract all the flavorful liquid.
7
Discard the solids, cool the stock completely, and store it in airtight containers. You can freeze the stock for later use or keep it in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Nutrition Information
0.75g
Fat
2g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Luxurious Shrimp Shell Stock?
It is a rich, flavorful seafood base made from sautéed shrimp shells, aromatic vegetables, and herbs, designed to be superior to store-bought alternatives.
How many calories are in this shrimp stock?
There are approximately 30 calories per serving of this stock.
How many shrimp shells do I need?
You will need about 4 cups of shells, which typically come from about 2 pounds of fresh or frozen shrimp.
How long does it take to sauté the shrimp shells?
The shells should be sautéed for about 8-10 minutes until they turn pink and fragrant.
Why is it important to sauté the shells first?
Sautéing the shells significantly enhances the flavor of the final stock compared to boiling them raw.
Can I use frozen shrimp shells?
Yes, you can use shells from either fresh or frozen shrimp.
What vegetables are included in this stock?
The recipe uses red onion, carrot, celery, and garlic.
Do I need to peel the red onion?
No, the recipe calls for the red onion to be unpeeled and sliced.
Can I use tomato sauce instead of tomato paste?
Yes, you can substitute 1/4 cup of leftover rich tomato sauce for the 2 tablespoons of tomato paste.
Which fresh herbs are used in the stock?
The stock includes fresh sprigs of parsley, thyme, chives, and oregano.
How much water should I add to the pot?
You should add about 6 cups of water, or enough to completely cover the ingredients.
How long should the stock simmer?
The stock should simmer for at least 20 minutes, though it can go up to an hour for a richer flavor.
How do I strain the stock?
Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a large bowl, pressing down on the solids to extract all liquid.
How long can I keep the stock in the refrigerator?
The stock can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Can this shrimp stock be frozen?
Yes, you can freeze the stock in airtight containers for later use.
What are the nutritional facts for fat and protein?
The stock contains 0.75g of fat and 3g of protein per serving.
What dishes can I make with this stock?
It serves as an excellent foundation for soups, risottos, gumbo, and various seafood dishes.
Is this recipe environmentally friendly?
Yes, it is considered sustainable because it transforms kitchen scraps like shrimp shells and vegetable ends into a useful ingredient.
How many garlic cloves are required?
The recipe calls for 3 garlic cloves, which should be smashed before adding to the pot.
What kind of bay leaf should I use?
You can use 1-2 bay leaves, either dried or fresh.
Is there a specific spice added for aroma?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/8 teaspoon of fennel seed for added depth.
What is the carbohydrate content?
The stock contains 2g of carbohydrates per serving.
What should I do after the vegetables soften?
Once softened, pour in the water and bring the pot to a gentle boil before reducing to a simmer.
Why should I cover the pot during the vegetable cooking phase?
Covering the pot for 10-15 minutes allows the vegetables to soften and release their natural juices.
Can I use organic vegetables?
Yes, the recipe specifically suggests using organic carrots and celery.
What kind of oil is used to start the stock?
The recipe uses 1 teaspoon of olive oil.
Is this recipe economical?
Yes, it is very economical as it uses waste materials rather than expensive store-bought bottled stocks.
What do I do with the solids after straining?
The solids should be discarded after you have extracted all the flavorful liquid.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
There are 15 total ingredients including the water and seasonings.
Is salt used in this recipe?
A pinch of salt is added while cooking the vegetables to help draw out their flavors.