Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp) Recipe
Gambas al Ajillo is a classic Spanish tapa featuring succulent prawns sautéed in fragrant garlic-infused olive oil with a hint of spicy dried cayenne chilies. This quickly cooked dish offers bold flavors and a delightful presentation, perfect as an appetizer or light meal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: Serves 2-3 as an appetizer 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 12 large raw prawns
Seasonings & Aromatics
- 3 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
- 3 dried cayenne chillies (or other dried chilli)
- 1 tbsp chopped flat-leaf parsley
- Sea salt, to taste
- Freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
Oils
- 100ml olive oil
Instructions
- Prepare the prawns: Peel the prawns, leaving the tails intact for presentation. Using a cocktail stick, carefully remove the digestive tracts from each prawn to ensure a clean taste. Season them lightly with sea salt.
- Heat oil with garlic and chillies: Pour the olive oil into a flameproof terracotta pot or frying pan and add the sliced garlic and dried cayenne chillies. Place over high heat and cook until the garlic begins to turn golden, infusing the oil with rich flavor.
- Cook the prawns: Add the prepared prawns to the hot oil mixture and cook for 1-2 minutes on each side, or until the prawns turn just pink and are cooked through. If you prefer, you can cook the prawns in their shells by skipping the peeling step.
- Finish and serve: Remove from heat, sprinkle the chopped flat-leaf parsley and freshly cracked black pepper over the prawns. Serve immediately. If using a terracotta pot, carefully bring it to the table as the oil and pot will remain hot for several minutes.
Notes
- For an extra kick, add more dried chillies according to your spice preference.
- You can substitute prawns with large shrimp if unavailable.
- Using a terracotta pot is traditional and keeps the dish warm, but a regular frying pan works just as well.
- Ensure not to overcook the prawns to keep them tender and juicy.
Keywords: Gambas al ajillo, Spanish tapas, garlic prawns, seafood appetizer, easy Spanish recipe
Find it online: https://cookwithyana.com/gambas-al-ajillo-garlic-shrimp-recipe/
