Garlic Shrimp Gambas al Ajillo: Quick & Elegant Home Party Dish
Elevate your home gatherings with Gambas al Ajillo – a simple yet sophisticated party menu!
Today, we’re making Gambas al Ajillo! Many people know it simply as ‘Gambas.’ In Spanish, ‘Gambas’ means shrimp, and ‘Al Ajillo’ means with garlic. The name perfectly describes its main ingredients: shrimp, olive oil, and garlic. It’s traditionally served with baguette, but toasted sandwich bread is a great substitute too. This dish is incredibly easy to prepare and has an elegant feel, making it ideal for when you’re hosting guests. It’s a flavor that’s so good, you’ll find yourself craving it often. Let’s dive into this delightful recipe!
Ingredients- 12 medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
- 10 clams, scrubbed clean
- 5-6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
- 1 red chili pepper (or 1/2 tsp red pepper flakes), finely chopped
- 1/2 baguette or 2 slices of bread
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
- Generous amount of olive oil (enough to generously cover ingredients)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the garlic. Thinly slice 5-6 cloves of garlic. This allows the garlic’s aromatic oils to infuse beautifully into the olive oil.
Step 2
Next, finely chop 1 red chili pepper for a touch of heat. If you have red pepper flakes (peperoncino), you can use those instead. Adding chili is great even if you’re not a fan of spice; when sautéed in oil, the heat mellows significantly and cuts through the richness of the dish wonderfully.
Step 3
Thoroughly scrub the clams under running water to remove any sand or grit. While optional, clams add a delightful depth of flavor. If you don’t have clams, feel free to omit them. Using clams with shells on looks more appealing as they open up during cooking.
Step 4
Carefully peel and devein the shrimp. Be mindful of the sharp shell spikes near the head to avoid pricking your fingers. You can leave the tail on for presentation if you like.
Step 5
Now, let’s start cooking! Pour a generous amount of olive oil into a deep skillet or pot – enough to largely submerge the ingredients. Heat the oil over medium-low heat. Once warm, add the sliced garlic and chopped chili pepper. Sauté for about 2-3 minutes until the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden. Be careful not to burn the garlic; we want to infuse the oil, not toast it to a crisp.
Step 6
When the garlic is fragrant and starting to turn golden, add the prepared shrimp and clams to the skillet. Cook until the shrimp turn pink and opaque, and the clams have opened wide. This typically takes about 5-7 minutes. Overcooking can make the shrimp tough, so watch them closely.
Step 7
Once everything is cooked, remove the skillet from the heat. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Gambas al Ajillo is best when it’s slightly salty, so don’t be shy with the salt! Add it gradually, tasting as you go, to achieve the perfect balance. A sprinkle of dried parsley can add a nice finishing touch.
Step 8
Serve immediately with warm baguette slices or toasted bread. Dipping the bread into the infused, garlicky olive oil is an absolute delight! The combination of flavors – savory shrimp, pungent garlic, rich olive oil, and crusty bread – is simply divine. This dish is so satisfying and delicious, you’ll want to make it again and again. Enjoy your homemade Gambas al Ajillo – truly a treat!
