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Live Shrimp at 99 Ranch - such a deal!

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Went to get some crab this morning at 99 Ranch in Richmond. They open at 9am and I was the first one at the seafood counter. The tanks were brimming with live crab - asked for two large ones ( does anyone ask for the small ones? ) and the fishmonger showed me each one as he plucked them out of the tank. The crabs were 2.25 - 2.5 lbs each.
But I also noticed that the live shrimp were priced at a very reasonable $6.99 a pound. Got a pound of them. This worked out great as later on for lunch we had a soup that needed some additonal flavor so we shelled all the shrimp and added the shrimp heads into a saute pan and sauteed them with some garlic.
Added the soup and simmered for 10-15 minutes. Gently cooked the shrimp meat with some garlic and lemon and used them to garnish the soup. Yum!

I imagine the price of crab and shrimp would be similar in other 99 Ranch markets.

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  1. It IS a great deal - I think the shrimp usually is $15 or something like that. I had bought some once but did not really know what to do with them. I don't really see myself shelling shrimp. Any other recipe suggestions?

    4 Replies
    1. re: Maple

      Some folks eat them whole when they are crisped up.Some just suck the goodness out of the heads. But if you don't want to eat the shell you must peel it off. Analogous to shucking corn.

      1. re: wolfe

        Sorry - I meant to say that I do not want to shell them before cooking, but can peel them afterwards.

        Interesting to see the recipe - I just came back from New Orleans and had a fabulous barbecued shrimp dish at Mr. B's Seafood in the French Quarter. Unfortunately I don't think I have the Pepper Sauce.

        1. re: Maple

          amazon.com,12 bottles, gifts for the grandkids.

          1. re: Maple

            A chinese salt & pepper preparation is another possibility....deep fry them and then stir fry them with the seasonings: chili peppers, scallions, S&P, garlic, maybe some ginger?

      2. What was the price on the crab?

        2 Replies
          1. re: OldTimer

            i am thinking of picking these up for valentine's day, but have never made crab before... does 99 ranch offer precooked ones too? does that really affect the taste?