Hello, lovely readers! Al here, back with another mouth-watering recipe for you to try at home. Today, we’re diving into the flavors of sunny Spain with a dish that is as simple as it is delicious: Gambas al Ajillo, or Sizzling Garlic Shrimp.
If you’ve ever wandered through the vibrant streets of Spain, you might have encountered this dish at a bustling tapas bar. It’s a classic Spanish tapa that captures the essence of the country’s love for fresh seafood and bold flavors. Plus, it’s incredibly quick and easy to prepare, making it perfect for a weeknight dinner or a weekend get-together with friends.
### Why Gambas al Ajillo?
I’ve always been fascinated by the simplicity of Mediterranean cuisine — how a few quality ingredients can come together to create something truly spectacular. Gambas al Ajillo is one of those dishes that exemplifies this beautifully. With just shrimp, garlic, olive oil, and a few other pantry staples, you can whip up a dish that’s bursting with flavor.
### The Star Ingredients
The key to a great Gambas al Ajillo is fresh, high-quality shrimp. I recommend using large raw shrimp that have been peeled and deveined. This not only saves you prep time but ensures that the shrimp cook evenly. The garlic, of course, plays a starring role as well. Slicing it thinly allows it to infuse the oil with its fantastic aroma without burning.
### Cooking Tips
A couple of tips to keep in mind: be generous with the olive oil as it forms the base of your dish and helps to create that irresistible sauce perfect for dipping crusty bread into. Also, keep an eye on the garlic while it’s sautéing to make sure it reaches that perfect golden hue without burning, which can make it bitter.
### Let’s Get Cooking!
Now, without further ado, let’s get into the kitchen and start cooking up some Gambas al Ajillo. I promise this dish will transport you straight to a Spanish seaside café, even if just for a meal.
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#### Ingredients:
– 500g large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
– 1 red chili, thinly sliced (optional)
– 100ml extra virgin olive oil
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– 1 tsp sea salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
– 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
– Crusty bread, for serving
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#### Method:
1. **Heat the olive oil:** In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
2. **Sauté the garlic and chili:** Add the thinly sliced garlic and red chili (if using) to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and starts to turn golden.
3. **Season with spices:** Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
4. **Cook the shrimp:** Increase the heat to medium-high and add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer. Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque.
5. **Finish with lemon and parsley:** Add the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley to the skillet, stirring to coat the shrimp evenly.
6. **Serve:** Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit for 1 minute to absorb the flavors. Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.
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There you have it – a delightful plate of Gambas al Ajillo ready to impress your taste buds and your guests! I hope you enjoy making and devouring this dish as much as I do. As always, feel free to drop your comments below and let me know how it turned out. Happy cooking, everyone!
Until next time,
Al
Ingredients
– 500g large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
– 6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
– 1 red chili, thinly sliced (optional)
– 100ml extra virgin olive oil
– 1 tsp smoked paprika
– 1 tsp sea salt
– 1/2 tsp black pepper
– 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
– 2 tbsp chopped fresh parsley
– Crusty bread, for serving
Method
1. Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
2. Add the thinly sliced garlic and red chili (if using) to the skillet. Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and starts to turn golden.
3. Sprinkle in the smoked paprika, sea salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
4. Increase the heat to medium-high and add the shrimp to the skillet in a single layer.
5. Cook the shrimp for 1-2 minutes on each side until they turn pink and opaque.
6. Add the fresh lemon juice and chopped parsley to the skillet, stirring to coat the shrimp evenly.
7. Remove the skillet from heat and let it sit for 1 minute to absorb the flavors.
8. Serve immediately with crusty bread for dipping.
