Shrimp parmesan can be made in a variety of ways, but the majority of them are variations on Italian-themed recipes. Breading and baking the shrimp, as in traditional chicken or veal parmesan recipes, is one way to prepare the dish. However, because shrimp is more delicate and susceptible to overcooking, slightly different techniques must be used. Shrimp parmesan can also be made as a simple sauce with cheese and parsley and served over pasta to bring out the mild flavor of the seafood. A parmesan cream sauce could be used in another version of the dish, which could be served over pasta or on its own. Shrimp is a versatile ingredient in general, but it requires quick cooking to maintain its flavor and texture.
To make breaded shrimp parmesan, cooks should butterfly the shrimp first to ensure even cooking. To do so, he starts at the tail end of the shrimp and slices almost all the way through, spreading the two sides apart. He then removes the vein from the shrimp and coats it in a mixture of bread crumbs, parmesan cheese, and seasonings like basil or garlic before coating it in a beaten egg. The breaded shrimp are then baked or fried until cooked through and crispy, then drizzled with butter and fresh herbs to serve.
Another way to prepare shrimp parmesan is to make a pasta sauce. The garlic is first sauteed in butter or olive oil until fragrant, then the shrimp are added and cooked until pink. The cook then pours the sauce over the pasta and sprinkles fresh parsley or basil on top. This is a great seafood-lovers’ weeknight dinner because it’s simple to make and has simple flavors. A cook should use high-quality, very fresh ingredients to achieve the best results.
A cream sauce could be used to make a similar pasta dish. To make this version of shrimp parmesan, sauté the garlic in butter or oil as directed above, then add the heavy cream and parmesan cheese and cook until thickened. When the shrimp turn pink, remove them from the heat and add them near the end of the cooking time. This sauce can be served over pasta as directed above, or it can be topped with more parmesan cheese and bread crumbs and baked for a few minutes to form a crust under a hot broiler. This dish can be accompanied by a light salad and garlic bread.
It’s critical to avoid overcooking shrimp in these versions of shrimp parmesan, or in any other seafood dish, because they can quickly become rubbery and develop a fishy flavor. Most of the time, the other ingredients in a recipe should be almost done cooking before adding the shrimp. Shrimp can be an excellent ingredient for a variety of quick and easy meals due to its quick cooking time.