Flavorful Gambas al Ajillo: An Easy Recipe
Flavorful Gambas al Ajillo: An Easy Recipe
Christmas Party Must-Have: Delicious Shrimp Dish ‘Gambas al Ajillo’ Recipe
The perfect combination of succulent shrimp, aromatic garlic, and spicy chili peppers! Make this impressive Gambas al Ajillo at home with ease, perfect for entertaining guests.
Main Ingredients- 8 large raw shrimp, peeled and deveined (pat dry)
- 1 cup olive oil
- 8 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 10 dried red chili peppers (peperoncino)
Seasoning & Spices- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp dried parsley flakes (for garnish)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground black pepper
- 1 tsp dried parsley flakes (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Before you begin, prepare all your ingredients. It’s crucial to pat the shrimp completely dry with paper towels to prevent oil splatter during cooking.
Step 2
Peel the garlic cloves and then slice them thinly. This will help release their aroma beautifully into the olive oil.
Step 3
In a bowl, season the dried shrimp with 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of ground black pepper. Gently mix to ensure the shrimp are evenly coated. This step enhances the shrimp’s flavor.
Step 4
I’m using frozen raw cocktail shrimp that typically come about 50-60 per kilogram. You can adjust the quantity based on the size of your shrimp.
Step 5
Now, simply combine all the ingredients in a pan and cook! Your delicious Gambas al Ajillo will be ready in no time. It’s truly that easy!
Step 6
Pour 1 cup (about 200ml) of olive oil generously into the pan. The olive oil will gently cook the ingredients and infuse them with flavor.
Step 7
Set the heat to medium. Be careful not to use high heat, as this can cause the garlic to burn quickly.
Step 8
Once the oil is slightly warmed, add the sliced garlic to the pan. Let it gently sizzle and infuse the oil with its fragrant aroma.
Step 9
When the garlic turns golden brown and fragrant, add the seasoned shrimp to the pan. Arrange them nicely for even cooking.
Step 10
Next, add the dried red chili peppers (peperoncino). If you enjoy a spicier kick, you can cut the chilies in half and remove the seeds before adding them for extra heat.
Step 11
If you don’t have peperoncino, you can omit it, or substitute with finely chopped fresh green chilies (like serrano or jalapeño) for a similar spicy flavor.
Step 12
Once the shrimp are cooked through and the olive oil is beautifully infused with the flavors of all the ingredients, sprinkle with dried parsley flakes for a final touch of color and aroma.
Step 13
And there you have it – a beautifully presented and appetizing Gambas al Ajillo!
Step 14
Just a little trivia: in Spanish, ‘gambas’ means ‘shrimp’ and ‘ajillo’ refers to ‘garlic’. So, it’s a dish that truly celebrates the fantastic combination of shrimp and garlic.
Step 15
The experience is wonderfully luxurious, with the plump, fresh shrimp, the pungent garlic, and a hint of chili heat all harmonizing in the rich olive oil. It’s absolutely delightful served with crusty bread for dipping.
Step 16
Wishing you a joyful and delicious holiday season!^^ For more detailed visual guidance, please check out the video. -From One-Bowl Home Cooking-
