Gambas al Ajillo Recipe (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)

Method8 steps · about 20 min

1. 1

   Step 1: Choose a large frying pan for the whole batch and have four serving dishes ready. Mince the garlic and chop the parsley before starting; the shrimp will cook quickly.

2. 2

   Step 2: Check all the raw shrimp (About 1 lb small) are shelled and remove any remaining shell fragments; remove the vein if needed. Keep them cold until ready to add to the pan.

   Uses About 1 lb small raw shrimp, already shelled

3. 3

   Step 3: Cover the bottom of the pan completely with olive oil. Add the minced garlic (About 4 tbsp) and all the selected cayenne pods, then heat slowly over medium heat for about 1 minute, until fragrant and just sizzling. Keep the garlic from burning.

   Warm the garlic and chilli oil · 1 minUses Extra virgin olive oil, enough to completely cover the bottom of the frying pan · About 4 tbsp minced garlic (about 1 tbsp per person; adjust to taste) · 4–8 small cayenne pepper pods (1–2 per serving)

4. 4

   Step 4: Add all the prepared raw shrimp and gently turn them to coat every side in the garlic oil. Raise the heat to high and wait for the pan to sizzle again.

   Uses Fragrant garlic and cayenne in olive oil · Prepared raw shelled shrimp

5. 5

   Step 5: Once the pan is sizzling again, add the splash of sherry if using and a sprinkle of sea salt.

   Uses Shrimp sizzling in garlic and chilli oil · A splash of dry sherry, such as fino or manzanilla, optional · Sea salt, to season

6. 6

   Step 6: Simmer for about 1 minute, turning as needed, until every shrimp is pearly and opaque throughout and cooked through. Continue only as needed to reach that endpoint, then stop promptly to avoid overcooking.

   Finish cooking the shrimp · 1 minUses Shrimp with garlic, cayenne, salt and optional sherry

7. 7

   Step 7: Take the pan off the heat and divide the cooked shrimp and garlic sauce among four serving dishes.

   Uses Fully cooked shrimp and garlic sauce

8. 8

   Step 8: Stir a little butter into each serving and scatter with chopped parsley. Serve immediately while hot, with crusty bread alongside for the sauce.

   Uses Four servings of cooked garlic shrimp and sauce · A little butter, to finish each of the four servings · A little chopped parsley, for finishing · Crusty bread, to serve alongside and mop up the garlic sauce