Spicy Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo)

Name: Spicy Garlic Shrimp (Gambas al Ajillo)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 25 min
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 500 g Large raw shrimp, peeled, deveined (tails on or off); 8 cloves Garlic, thinly sliced; 120 ml Extra virgin olive oil; 1 tsp Dried red pepper flakes (or 1-2 fresh red chilies, thinly sliced); 15 g Fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped; 2.5 g Salt; 1.25 g Freshly ground black pepper; 0.5 piece Lemon, cut into wedges (for serving); 1 piece Crusty baguette, sliced (for serving)

Difficulty

easy

Time

25m

Price Category

average

Calories

Medium

Gambas al Ajillo is a classic Spanish tapa that is quick to prepare and guaranteed to enchant your taste buds. It's a delightful combination of fresh shrimp, generous amounts of garlic, spicy chili, and aromatic olive oil, all cooked together in a hot pan. Perfect as an appetizer or a light main course, served with crusty bread for dipping into the flavorful oil. Prepare this simple yet incredibly delicious dish and bring Spanish sunshine to your table!

ingredients

4 Servings

500 g Large raw shrimp, peeled, deveined (tails on or off)8 cloves Garlic, thinly sliced120 ml Extra virgin olive oil1 tsp Dried red pepper flakes (or 1-2 fresh red chilies, thinly sliced)15 g Fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped2.5 g Salt1.3 g Freshly ground black pepper0.5 piece Lemon, cut into wedges (for serving)1 piece Crusty baguette, sliced (for serving)

Steps

Preparation

Prepare the shrimp: if frozen, thaw them, then thoroughly pat them dry with paper towels. This helps them sear nicely. Thinly slice the garlic and fresh chili (if using), and chop the parsley.

Heat the Oil

In a large skillet or earthenware dish (cazuela), heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the sliced garlic and red pepper flakes (or fresh chili). Sauté the garlic for about 1-2 minutes until fragrant and just beginning to turn golden. Be careful not to burn it!

Cook the Shrimp

Add the shrimp to the skillet and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 2-3 minutes per side, until they turn pink and curl. Do not overcook, as they can become rubbery! Once cooked, remove from heat.

Serve

Stir in the chopped parsley. Serve immediately, hot, with lemon wedges and fresh, crusty baguette slices for dipping into the flavorful garlic oil.

Extra Tips

► Don't overcook the shrimp! As soon as they turn pink and curl, remove them from the heat immediately to keep them tender and juicy.

► Use high-quality olive oil, as its flavor significantly contributes to the dish's character.

► Serve immediately, hot, with fresh, crusty bread to soak up every drop of the delicious oil.

Nutrition

	Per 100g	Per Serving 125g
Calories	280 kcal	350 kcal
Protein	18g	22.5g
Fat	22g	27.5g
Carbohydrate	2g	2.5g
Fiber	0.5g	0.6g
Sugar	0.5g	0.6g