To Shell Shrimps and Prawns Quickly and Easily

Modern cookery for private families · Acton, Eliza · 1845
Source
Modern cookery for private families
Status
success · extracted 14 days ago
Not a recipe
No
Ingredients (0)
No ingredients extracted.
Instructions (6)
  1. Hold the head firmly in the right hand and the tail in the other.
  2. Straighten the fish entirely.
  3. Press the two hands quickly towards each other.
  4. Break the shell of the tail by a slight vibratory motion of the right hand.
  5. Draw the shell off with the head adhering to it.
  6. Remove the small portion remaining on at the other end.
Original Text
TO SHELL SHRIMPS AND PRAWNS QUICKLY AND EASILY. This, though a most simple process, would appear, from the manner in which it is performed by many people, to be a very difficult one; indeed it is not unusual for persons of the lower classes, who, from lack of a little skill, find it slow and irksome, to have resource to the dangerous plan of eating the fish entire. It need scarcely be remarked that very serious consequences may accrue from the shells being swallowed with them, particularly when they are taken in large quantities. Unless the fish be stale, when they are apt to break, they will quit the shells easily if the head be held firmly in the right hand and the tail in the other, and the fish be straightened entirely, then the two hands pressed quickly towards each other, and the shell of the tail broken by a slight vibratory motion of the right hand, when it will be drawn of with the head adhering to it: a small portion, only will then remain on at the other end, which can be removed in an instant. 94 CHAPTER IV. Gravies.
Notes
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