Of course a well appointed pantry extends beyond dry goods! I keep several bags of frozen shrimp in my freezer at all times. It's one of the easiest and most versatile proteins to prepare in a pinch. The best frozen shrimp are already peeled and deveined, with the tail on. You can find these details on the package. Frozen shrimp are sold by count to the pound. Large shrimp are a 16-20 count. I think this is the best size to use for a generous shrimp cocktail, tossed into a fresh salad, or prepared in a hot seafood entree.
One of my favorite ways to prepare shrimp is to roast it. Roasting the shrimp brings out its flavor and sweetness much more so than steaming. I serve it with cocktail sauce as well as an aoli option. If I'm in a pinch, I'll use good mayonnaise and season it with chipotle powder.
