Succulent Shrimp Aglio e Olio Pasta
Succulent Shrimp Aglio e Olio Pasta
Mastering Shrimp Aglio e Olio: A Simple Yet Delicious Pasta Recipe
Craving something satisfying but not too heavy for a solo meal? This recipe for Aglio e Olio pasta, loaded with plenty of fresh shrimp, is perfect for when you want a delicious dish without a fuss. Honestly, I made this because I wanted to eat more shrimp than pasta! This recipe allows you to recreate a delightful, restaurant-quality meal right in your own kitchen.
Pasta Ingredients- 7 Tbsp Olive oil
- 5 cloves Garlic (thinly sliced)
- 1/6 Onion (finely minced)
- 3 Mini king oyster mushrooms (thinly sliced)
- 3 Black olives (thinly sliced)
- 4 Dried red chili peppers (peperoncino, crushed)
- 1 Tbsp Parmesan cheese powder
- 1 tsp Herb salt
- Pinch of black pepper
- 100 ml Pasta water (reserved from cooking)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin (or cooking wine)
For Cooking the Spaghetti- 100g Spaghetti
- 1.5L Water
- 1 Tbsp Coarse salt
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
Shrimp Preparation- 8 Large cocktail shrimp
- 15 Small peeled shrimp
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Herb salt
Garnishes- Pinch of Grana Padano cheese powder (or Parmesan)
- Pinch of Parsley flakes
- 100g Spaghetti
- 1.5L Water
- 1 Tbsp Coarse salt
- 2 Tbsp Olive oil
Shrimp Preparation- 8 Large cocktail shrimp
- 15 Small peeled shrimp
- 1 Tbsp Olive oil
- 1 tsp Herb salt
Garnishes- Pinch of Grana Padano cheese powder (or Parmesan)
- Pinch of Parsley flakes
- Pinch of Grana Padano cheese powder (or Parmesan)
- Pinch of Parsley flakes
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the shrimp thoroughly under cold running water several times. After rinsing, drain them well in a sieve to remove excess moisture; this is crucial for the best texture.
Step 2
In a bowl, combine the drained shrimp with 1 Tbsp olive oil and 1 tsp herb salt. Gently toss to coat, then let them marinate for about 10 minutes. This step infuses the shrimp with subtle flavor.
Step 3
Peel the garlic cloves and slice them thinly. You can adjust the amount of garlic to your preference, but thin slices ensure the garlic flavor infuses well into the oil.
Step 4
Peel the onion and mince it finely. The sweetness from the onion will add depth to the sauce.
Step 5
Trim the base of the mini king oyster mushrooms and slice them thinly. Their slightly chewy texture will add a delightful contrast to the pasta.
Step 6
If your black olives have pits, remove them. Then, slice the olives thinly. The briny flavor of the olives complements the pasta beautifully.
Step 7
In a large pot, bring 1.5 liters of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 Tbsp of coarse salt to the boiling water; this seasons the pasta as it cooks and prevents sticking.
Step 8
Once the water is boiling vigorously, add the spaghetti. Cook for about 7 minutes, which is typically 1-2 minutes less than the package instructions, to achieve a perfect ‘al dente’ texture.
Step 9
While the pasta is cooking, stir it occasionally with chopsticks or tongs to prevent the strands from clumping together. This ensures each strand cooks evenly and stays separate.
Step 10
After 7 minutes, carefully reserve about 1 cup (100ml) of the starchy pasta water before draining the spaghetti in a colander.
Step 11
To prevent the cooked spaghetti from sticking, drizzle it with 2 Tbsp of olive oil and toss gently with chopsticks or tongs. This creates a light coating that keeps the pasta loose and ready for saucing.
Step 12
Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add a generous 7 Tbsp of olive oil. Add the sliced garlic and sauté slowly, almost frying it, until it becomes fragrant and lightly golden. This process extracts the maximum garlic aroma into the oil.
Step 13
When the garlic is fragrant and golden, add the marinated shrimp and the crushed peperoncino (dried red chili flakes) to the skillet. Stir-fry everything together. The peperoncino adds a pleasant hint of spice.
Step 14
Add 1 Tbsp of mirin (or cooking wine) to the pan while stir-frying the shrimp. Mirin helps to eliminate any potential fishiness from the shrimp and enhances their overall flavor.
Step 15
Once the shrimp are about half cooked (turning pink), add the minced onion and sliced mushrooms to the skillet. Continue to sauté until the onions become translucent and the mushrooms soften.
Step 16
As the onions turn transparent, add the sliced black olives to the pan and stir briefly. The olives add a savory depth that balances the other flavors.
Step 17
Add the cooked spaghetti and 1 Tbsp of Parmesan cheese powder to the skillet. Toss everything together with chopsticks or tongs, ensuring the pasta is well combined with the ingredients and cheese.
Step 18
Pour in the reserved pasta water (about 100-150ml). Increase the heat to medium-high and stir-fry vigorously, allowing the sauce to emulsify and coat the pasta beautifully. Season with herb salt (or regular salt) to taste and add a pinch of black pepper. The pasta water is key to creating a silky sauce.
Step 19
Continue to cook and toss until the pasta is glossy and has absorbed some of the sauce. Once the pasta is nicely coated and the sauce has thickened slightly, turn off the heat.
Step 20
Using large tongs or chopsticks, twirl the pasta into neat portions and plate it attractively. Presentation makes the meal even more enjoyable!
Step 21
Finish by generously grating Grana Padano cheese powder over the top and sprinkling with a pinch of parsley flakes. Your delicious Shrimp Aglio e Olio pasta is ready to be savored!
