Description
Gambas al Ajillo sizzles with Spanish passion, bringing the zesty flavors of coastal Spain straight to your kitchen. Garlic-infused olive oil and succulent shrimp create a simple yet irresistible dish that takes just minutes to prepare.
Ingredients
Scale
Primary Ingredients:
- 1 lb medium shrimp
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 6–8 garlic cloves
Supporting Ingredients:
- ¼ teaspoon sweet Spanish paprika
- 1 dried chili pepper
Garnish:
- 1 tablespoon parsley
Instructions
- Pour ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil into a large skillet and heat over medium-high temperature for 2-3 minutes until shimmering and hot.
- Carefully add 6-8 thinly sliced garlic cloves, ¼ teaspoon sweet Spanish paprika, and 1 dried chili pepper to the skillet. Cook for 45-60 seconds until garlic turns pale golden and becomes fragrant.
- Add 1 pound peeled and deveined medium shrimp directly into the infused oil. Stir constantly and cook for 2-3 minutes until every shrimp transforms completely pink and looks opaque.
- Immediately remove skillet from heat to prevent overcooking the delicate shrimp.
- Sprinkle 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley across the top of the shrimp.
- Transfer the hot gambas to a serving plate within 30 seconds of removing from heat to preserve optimal temperature and texture.
Notes
- Fresh, high-quality shrimp make all the difference in creating an authentic Spanish tapas experience.
- Use a cast iron or heavy-bottomed skillet to ensure even heat distribution and perfect caramelization of garlic.
- Watch garlic closely during cooking, as it can quickly burn and turn bitter, ruining the delicate flavor balance.
- For a gluten-free version, serve with gluten-free bread or over cauliflower rice to soak up the delicious garlic-infused olive oil.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Sautéed
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Spanish
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 210 kcal
- Sugar: 0.2 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 14 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 2 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 22 g
- Cholesterol: 195 mg