This homemade seafood stock is made with leftover shrimp shells, is an easy way to use shrimp or prawn roe, and is the perfect way to boost the flavor of seafood stews and soups.
Heat the oil in a stockpot over medium-high heat. Sauté onions, carrots, celery, and shrimp shells for 2-3 minutes. Add garlic, and sauté 2 more minutes. Reduce heat to medium, cover pan, and cook 10 minutes.Tip: If you've preserved shrimp roe in the freezer and the roe is stuck to your shrimp shells, add the roe at the same time you add the shells. Otherwise, add it in the next step.
Add 6 cups of water and all remaining ingredients. Bring to a boil, and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer uncovered for 1 hour.
Strain broth through a mesh sieve. Discard the leftover shells and vegetables. You should be left with approximately 1 quart broth. (If you've got less than 1 quart, you can add a little water or white wine.)
Use broth right away, refrigerate and use within 3-4 days, or freeze broth in an airtight container for up to 6 months.
Notes
Yields approximately 1 quart. Recipe easily doubles or triples.Roe: Roe are eggs. Shrimp or prawn roe are sometimes still attached to the shellfish and can be frozen along with the shells for use in broth. Note: For a much clearer broth, avoid bringing broth to a boil, and extend the simmer time to 3 hours.Nutrition information does not include vegetables, because they are discarded and not consumed.