Figure 1.
When cooked with dry heat (pan-searing or grilling), shrimp are best cooked in their shells. The shells hold in moisture and also flavor the shrimp as they cook. However, eating shrimp cooked in its shell can be a challenge. As a compromise, we found it helpful to slit the back of the shell with a manicure or other small scissors with a fine point. After cooking, each person can quickly and easily peel away the shell.