Tender Shrimp Aglio e Olio Pasta
Tender Shrimp Aglio e Olio Pasta
Homemade Shrimp Oil Pasta Recipe: Gambas-Style with Plenty of Garlic!
Hello everyone, this is Kimmi from Kimmi Food! Today, I’m sharing a restaurant-quality ‘Shrimp Oil Pasta’ recipe you can easily make at home. Just like Gambas, we’ll load it with garlic and quickly sauté it with plump shrimp for a satisfying and healthy meal. Let’s create this simple yet flavorful oil pasta together!
Main Ingredients- 1 packet Pasta (Spaghetti recommended)
- 1 packet Cocktail Shrimp (frozen or fresh)
- 15+ cloves Garlic (adjust to taste)
- A small bunch Fresh Parsley
- 6 Olives (black or green)
Seasoning & Other Ingredients- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (generous amount)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Salt (for boiling pasta)
- 1 Tbsp Vodka or Soju (optional, enhances flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil (generous amount)
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Salt (for boiling pasta)
- 1 Tbsp Vodka or Soju (optional, enhances flavor)
- 1 Tbsp Oyster Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s talk about the benefits of shrimp! Shrimp are rich in chitosan and taurine, which can help reduce cholesterol in the blood vessels and inhibit the formation of blood clots. Enjoy these delicious and healthy shrimp generously in your pasta!
Step 2
Prepare your cocktail shrimp. Using shrimp about the size of your thumb will give you a wonderfully firm and satisfying bite.
Step 3
To keep fresh parsley vibrant, place it in ice-cold water for a few minutes. Once revived, pat it dry thoroughly and mince it very finely. The parsley’s aroma will add a sophisticated touch to the entire dish.
Step 4
After mincing, gently press the parsley with paper towels to remove excess moisture. This helps preserve its aroma so it blends beautifully with the pasta. If fresh parsley isn’t available, a good quality dried parsley can be used.
Step 5
Pit and halve or quarter the olives. Cutting them into smaller pieces ensures they distribute well throughout the pasta, adding delightful bursts of flavor with every bite.
Step 6
Garlic is the soul of oil pasta! Trim the tough ends off the garlic cloves and slice them generously. We’re using a lot of garlic to infuse the oil with its wonderful aroma and flavor.
Step 7
Slice the garlic to a medium thickness, about 3-5mm. Avoid slicing it too thin, as it can burn easily, or too thick, which will take longer to cook. This thickness ensures a lovely, mellow garlic flavor.
Step 8
The secret to perfectly cooked pasta lies in precise timing! Achieving the ideal ‘al dente’ texture is key to a delicious pasta dish. Let’s get the timing just right!
Step 9
In a large, deep pot, bring plenty of water to a rolling boil. Add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt and a splash of olive oil. Wait until the water is vigorously boiling.
Step 10
Once the water is boiling, add the pasta and start your timer immediately. Using a phone or kitchen timer is highly recommended. Aim to cook it for about 1 minute less than the package instructions for that perfect ‘al dente’ bite.
Step 11
For standard spaghetti, boiling for approximately 8 minutes typically results in a satisfyingly chewy ‘al dente’ texture.
Step 12
Add the pasta to the boiling water, spreading it out so it doesn’t clump together. Immediately use chopsticks or tongs to gently separate the strands as they begin to soften.
Step 13
Cook the pasta over high heat for 8 minutes, ensuring it boils vigorously. Stirring occasionally will help it cook evenly.
Step 14
While the pasta is cooking, use tongs to gently stir it every so often. This prevents the pasta from sticking to the bottom of the pot or to itself.
Step 15
Once the pasta is cooked to your liking, drain it and spread it out on a large platter or baking sheet lightly coated with olive oil. IMPORTANT: Do not discard the pasta water! We’ll use it later to emulsify the sauce.
Step 16
Leftover cooked pasta can be stored in an airtight container or zip-top bag in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. This makes it easy to quickly whip up a delicious pasta dish later with just a simple sauce.
Step 17
For the best flavor in your oil pasta, use extra virgin olive oil. The more fragrant the olive oil, the richer and more delightful the taste will be.
Step 18
Now, let’s infuse the oil with garlic flavor. Sautéing the garlic until lightly golden and fragrant releases its characteristic sweet and pungent aroma.
Step 19
Here’s a tip for maximum garlic flavor with less oil: Tilt the pan and gather the oil to one side. Add the garlic to the concentrated oil and gently simmer over medium-low heat. This method cooks the garlic evenly and intensifies its aroma.
Step 20
When the garlic is lightly golden and the pan is perfectly heated, add the shrimp and a pinch of pepper. Sauté quickly over high heat to keep the shrimp tender and succulent.
Step 21
For an extra layer of flavor, add about 1 tablespoon of a high-proof spirit like vodka or soju. Gently swirl the pan – it might even flame up (flambé)! This process burns off the alcohol while adding a wonderful depth of flavor. (Safety first!)
Step 22
With the garlic and shrimp beautifully infused, add 1 tablespoon of oyster sauce for a savory umami boost. Oyster sauce significantly elevates the overall taste of the pasta.
Step 23
Once the sauce ingredients have melded, add the pre-cooked pasta to the pan.
Step 24
Toss the pasta, shrimp, and garlic vigorously to coat everything evenly with the sauce. This ensures every bite is packed with flavor.
Step 25
Add about 1 ladleful of the reserved pasta water and an extra drizzle of olive oil. This step helps create a smooth, glossy sauce that coats the pasta beautifully.
Step 26
Finally, taste the pasta and adjust the seasoning. If it’s too bland, add a tiny pinch of salt. If it’s too salty, add a little more pasta water to balance the flavors. Perfect seasoning is the key to a truly delicious pasta!
