Description
Garlic Sautéed Shrimp (Spanish Style), also known as Gambas al Ajillo, is a classic Spanish tapas dish that showcases succulent prawns cooked in fragrant garlic, olive oil, and a hint of smoked paprika. This quick and flavorful recipe delivers tender shrimp infused with subtle spice and acidity from white wine, served with fresh parsley, lemon wedges, and crusty bread for soaking up the delicious sauce.
Ingredients
Scale
Seafood
- 1 pound raw spot prawns (with heads and shells on)
Seasonings & Aromatics
- 6-8 garlic cloves, lightly crushed with the back of your knife, then thinly sliced
- 2 dried cayenne chillies (optional for spice)
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- A pinch of sea salt
Liquids
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine (or sherry)
Garnishes & Serving
- 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
- Lemon wedges for serving
- Crusty bread for serving
Instructions
- Prepare the Garlic and Chillies: In a wide frying pan over medium heat, add the olive oil, sliced garlic, and dried chillies. Gently fry for about 1 minute until the garlic softens but does not brown, releasing its aroma into the oil.
- Cook the Prawns: Turn the heat up to high and add the prawns in a single layer. Sprinkle the smoked paprika and sea salt evenly over them. Fry the prawns for 1 minute.
- Add Wine and Finish Cooking: Pour in the white wine or sherry, flip the prawns to coat them in the flavorful oil, and continue cooking for another 2 minutes until the prawns turn pink and are cooked through.
- Serve: Immediately transfer the prawns to a serving dish. Sprinkle chopped parsley over the top and add extra salt if desired. Serve with lemon wedges and crusty bread to soak up the delicious garlic-infused oil. Take care as the pan and oil will remain hot for several minutes.
Notes
- Gambas al ajillo is a delicious Spanish tapa that can be quickly prepared with minimal ingredients.
- Use dried cayenne chilies to add a subtle heat, or omit if you prefer a milder dish.
- Serving with crusty bread is traditional and helps enjoy the garlicky oil sauce.
- Cooking times are short to ensure the prawns remain tender and juicy.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/4 recipe
- Calories: 220 kcal
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 3 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 160 mg
