Elegant Octopus Gambas al Ajillo
Super Simple Octopus Gambas
‘Gambas al Ajillo’, also known as ‘cazuela’, is a quintessential Spanish home-style dish featuring seafood simmered in olive oil with garlic. It’s packed with calcium, vitamins, iron, and protein, making it incredibly nutritious. Today, we’ll elevate this classic by adding succulent octopus and using a convenient meal kit for a delicious Octopus Gambas. Perfect for a delightful dinner or a sophisticated wine pairing!
Ingredients- Octopus Gambas Meal Kit (1 pack)
- Red cabbage (2 leaves)
- Onion (1/4)
- Blanched broccoli (a small amount)
- Black olives (1/2 handful)
- Spaghetti pasta (for 2 servings)
- Salt (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, open the meal kit packaging and check all the contents. They are usually vacuum-sealed to maintain freshness.
Step 2
Let’s take a closer look at the meal kit components. You’ll find baguette slices for toasting, plump octopus and shrimp, the essential anchovy and olive oil sauce for authentic flavor, aromatic rosemary, fragrant garlic, and spicy chili flakes (peperoncino) to add a kick. Anchovies, similar to Korean fermented anchovies, are commonly used in Western dishes like pasta and gambas to add umami. Peperoncino is an Italian chili pepper; though small, it’s quite spicy, so adjust the amount to your preference.
Step 3
To enhance the visual appeal and nutritional value, we’ve prepared some colorful vegetables. We’re using vibrant red cabbage, sweet onion, healthy broccoli, and tangy black olives. Adding cherry tomatoes would also be a wonderful addition for extra color and flavor!
Step 4
Now, let’s prepare the seafood. Rinse the octopus and shrimp thoroughly under cold running water. After rinsing, it’s crucial to pat them completely dry with paper towels. Any residual moisture can cause the oil to splatter, posing a burn risk. Ensure they are thoroughly dried for safety.
Step 5
If you want to make your gambas even more hearty and special, adding some spaghetti pasta from your pantry is a fantastic idea. It transforms the dish into a satisfying meal.
Step 6
To cook the spaghetti, bring a generous pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add 1 tablespoon of salt and 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Then, add the spaghetti and cook for about 8 minutes until al dente. Set a timer to ensure the pasta is cooked perfectly.
Step 7
Drain the cooked spaghetti but do not rinse it with cold water. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of olive oil over the pasta and toss gently. This prevents the noodles from sticking together and ensures a smoother texture.
Step 8
Now, let’s cook the gambas. Pour the anchovy and olive oil sauce from the meal kit into a pan. Add the rosemary, minced garlic, and peperoncino, and sauté over medium-low heat until fragrant. Once the aroma is released, add the red cabbage and onion, and stir-fry. Then, add the prepared shrimp and cook for 3-4 minutes. Finally, toss in the blanched broccoli and black olives and stir-fry briefly. The vegetables will meld together beautifully.
Step 9
Toast the baguette slices in a dry pan over medium heat for about 2 minutes per side, until golden brown and crisp. These toasted slices are perfect for scooping up the delicious gambas.
Step 10
Finally, add the octopus to the pan and cook for another 2 minutes to complete the dish. Since we’ve added extra vegetables, it’s a good idea to taste and adjust the seasoning with a pinch of salt if needed.
Step 11
Your impressive Octopus Gambas is ready! Serve the piping hot gambas with the crispy toasted baguette. The harmonious blend of abundant seafood, fragrant garlic, and rich olive oil will create a truly delightful culinary experience.
