Roasted Shrimp Stock

Submitted by Raquel Grinnell

"The easiest, most flavorful shrimp stock you will ever make! Every time we eat shrimp, I save the shells and heads (either cooked or uncooked), pack them into freezer-safe bags, squeeze out any exceess air and freeze. I have used them up to a year afterwards, and usually wait until I have 2-3 bags full to make a whole bunch of stock at a time. If you save your chinese soup containers from takeout, they are great for freezing stock! If you aren't as frugal as I (LOL) you can purchase these containers from any restaurant supply store."

 

• Ready In: 1hr 45mins
• Ingredients: 11
• Yields: 16 cups
• Serves: 8

ingredients

• 4 cups shrimp shells, packed
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 1⁄2 teaspoons garlic salt
• 1 gallon water
• 1 large onion, peeled and quartered
• 3 stalks celery, roughly chopped
• 4 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed
• 1⁄2 cup fresh parsley, stems and all
• 8 peppercorns
• 2 bay leaves
• sea salt

directions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Toss shrimp shells with olive oil and garlic salt and spread evenly over an aluminum foil lined baking sheet or roasting pan. If they are not in a single layer, spread over two pans. Roast in oven for 15-20 minutes or until well-browned.
2. Combine all ingredients except for sea salt in a large stockpot and bring to a boil, then lower heat, cover and simmer for one and a half hours. If you prefer a richer stock, boil at a medium heat uncovered so that the water evaporates and the stock tastes as you'd like. You will end up with less stock this way. Add salt to taste in the last 10 minutes. Tip: I actually rinse my aluminum foil with all the browned bits (called fond in cooking terms) in a large bowl with my water to get all the amazing flavor this brown stuff provides and use that water in the stock. You don't have to do this, but it will make your stock all the richer!
3. Strain out solids with a large colander first, discarding solids. Re-strain the stock with fine strainer to remove the finer debris, pressing the solids with a spoon and scraping the bottom of the fine strainer into the stock to get all the goodness.
4. Use immediately, or place in freezer-safe containers and freeze up to 6 months. Great for shrimp bisque, any rice dish with seafood that requires stock like paella or jambalaya, gumbo, etouffee, etc. Enjoy!