Butterflying Shrimp Made Easy

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Butterflying Shrimp Made Easy

With step-by-step photos and instructions, AJC food writer Meridith Ford teaches you how to butterfly shrimp. And the lesson includes links to easy shrimp recipes perfect for the summer shrimp season.

Would you like to butterfly your own shrimp? It's really not that difficult if you have a sharp knife. The butterflied shrimp here are shown on Spicy Polenta Bites. (Styling by Deborah Geering)

AJC food writer Merdith Ford is both the teacher and the model to show you how to butterfly shrimp in three easy steps. Step 1: After peeling the shrimp (leave the tails on), insert a very sharp knife about three-fourths of the way into the shrimp's flesh at the head.

Step 2: Cut almost all the way through the flesh down the center of the shrimp's back all the way to the tail.

Step 3: Open the flesh of the shrimp until it lies flat. You can remove the vein with your fingers or the tip of a knife, if desired. You're done. (Except for Step 4: Click the link below for easy shrimp recipes and enjoy!)

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Would you like to butterfly your own shrimp? It's really not that difficult if you have a sharp knife. The butterflied shrimp here are shown on Spicy Polenta Bites. (Styling by Deborah Geering)

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