Garlic Shrimp Tapa - Gambas al Ajillo
from http://spanishfood.about.com/
One of the most common tapas of Spain, gambas al ajillo is quick, easy and FULL of garlic flavor. It's truly a classic tapa. Fresh shrimp, sauteed in olive oil and lots of garlic, with a touch of Spanish paprika and a splash of brandy all combine to create one of the most popular tapas. A pinch of red pepper flakes gives the sauce a slight bite. Your guests will be asking for the recipe after the first shrimp, and only you will know how simple it was to prepare.
1 lb shrimp, 25 count to a pound
4 large cloves of garlic, finely minced
1 tsp sweet Spanish paprika
1 tsp red pepper flakes (seems like a lot)
2-3 oz (60-89 ml) cognac (or substitute dry sherry)
4 oz (125 ml) virgin olive oil
3 tsp chopped fresh parsley
1 lemon for juice (about 2 Tbsp.)
1 fresh baguette, sliced
This recipe makes 4 servings as an appetizer. If preparing for a main course, double the recipe.
In a sauté pan or heavy frying pan, warm the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and sauté for about one minute or until they just begin to brown. Be careful not to burn the garlic!
Raise the heat to high and immediately add the shrimp, lemon juice, sherry or cognac and paprika. Stir well, then sauté, stirring briskly until the shrimp turn pink and curl – about 3 minutes.
Remove from heat and transfer shrimp with oil and sauce to a warm plate or serve right from the pan. Season to taste with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with fresh bread.
Notes on Shrimp:
- This recipe is prepared in Spain with the shells on or off, depending on the cook. So, if you prefer, peel the shrimp before cooking.
- If you like larger shrimp, purchase shrimp with fewer count to a pound. However, 25 to a pound are a good size for this tapa.
- If using frozen shrimp, rinse under cold water and pat dry. Allow for a longer cooking time for shrimp that are not completely thawed, and be sure to cook thoroughly.
4 servings
Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp)
from https://www.seriouseats.com/, J. Kenji López-Alt
Sweet shrimp in garlicky olive oil is just about the ideal tapas bar snack. The sweet shrimp and garlic aroma go perfectly with a nice sherry, while the leftover oil at the bottom of the earthenware dish is the ideal sopping-up liquid for good Spanish bread. It's also one of those dishes that, even when mediocre, is still pretty darn good.
But when it's done perfectly, when the shrimp are juicy and tender with a crunchy pop, when the oil sings with a chorus of layered garlic flavors, it can be transcendent.
12 cloves garlic
1 pound large shrimp, peeled, shells reserved
1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
Pinch red pepper flakes, or 1 (1-inch) piece dried guajillo chile
1 1/2 teaspoons sherry vinegar
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
Finely mince 4 garlic cloves and place in large bowl. Smash 4 cloves under the flat side of a knife and place in a large skillet. Thinly slice remaining four garlic cloves and set aside.
Add shrimp to bowl with minced garlic. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, and baking soda. Toss to combine thoroughly and set aside at room temperature.
Add shrimp shells to skillet with smashed garlic and add remaining olive oil and pepper flakes. Set over medium-low to low heat and cook, stirring and tossing occasionally, until shells are deep ruby red, garlic is pale golden brown, and oil is intensely aromatic, about 10 minutes. Oil should be gently bubbling the whole time. When ready, strain through a fine-mesh strainer into a small bowl, tossing and pressing the shrimp shells to extract as much oil as possible. Discard shells and garlic.
Return flavored oil to skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add sliced garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until pale golden brown, about 1 minute. Add shrimp and cook, tossing and stirring constantly until shrimp are barely cooked through, about 2 minutes. Add sherry vinegar and parsley and toss to combine. Season to taste with salt. Serve immediately.
2 servings
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 2
Calories 678
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 11g 4%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Total Sugars 0g
Protein 32g 64%
Total Fat 58g 74%
Saturated Fat 9g 43%
Cholesterol 286mg 95%
Vitamin C 7mg 8%
Sodium 2109mg 92%
Calcium 213mg 16%
Iron 3mg 15%
Potassium 421mg 9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
