Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)
Gambas al ajillo is a classic Spanish tapas recipe of tender shrimp quickly cooked in extra virgin olive oil with plenty of garlic, dried chili, and smoked paprika. Ready in just 10 minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 lb shrimp deveined, shelled
- 2 teaspoon Kosher salt
- ½ cup olive oil extra virgin
- 4 cloves garlic chopped coarsely
- 1 dried chili stem and seeds removed, cut in 2
- ½ teaspoon paprika smoked
- 1 tablespoon parsley minced
- 2 tablespoon lemon juice fresh or dry white wine (optional)
Instructions
- Pat the thawed shrimp until mostly dry and sprinkle them with salt on both sides.
- Heat the olive oil on medium and add the garlic and chili pepper. Let the garlic heat in the oil until fragrant but don't let it brown. The garlic should just be golden on the edges. Be careful not to burn it.
- Add the shrimp as soon as the garlic starts to turn golden. Cook on both sides until just done. This takes about two minutes depending on the size of the shrimp.
- Add the parsley and optionally 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice or dry white wine to give it a bit of acidity.
Notes
Recipe Tips
- Use a good-quality extra virgin olive oil because it becomes the sauce for the shrimp and bread.
- Thaw the shrimp completely and pat them very dry before cooking.
- Don't let the garlic burn. Add the shrimp as soon as the garlic becomes fragrant and starts turning golden around the edges.
- Don't overcook the shrimp. They cook very quickly and should be removed from the heat as soon as they're opaque and curled.
- For more heat, add another dried chili or a pinch of red pepper flakes.
- Gambas al ajillo is traditionally served sizzling hot, often in a small earthenware cazuela. I prefer cooking the shrimp in a skillet and transferring them to a serving dish so they don't continue cooking in the hot cazuela.
- Some Spanish variations include a splash of sherry. I like fresh lemon juice, dry white wine, or a little of both for added acidity.
- Serve immediately with crusty bread to soak up the garlic-infused olive oil.
Nutrition
Calories: 493kcalCarbohydrates: 4gProtein: 1gFat: 54gSaturated Fat: 7gPolyunsaturated Fat: 6gMonounsaturated Fat: 39gSodium: 2329mgPotassium: 68mgFiber: 0.5gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 482IUVitamin C: 10mgCalcium: 18mgIron: 1mg
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