Gambas al Ajillo with Ham and Mushrooms
Elevate your tapas game with this Gambas al Ajillo recipe, enhanced with savory ham and fresh mushrooms – the perfect pairing for wine!
‘Gambas al Ajillo’ literally translates to ‘shrimp in garlic,’ a quintessential Spanish tapas dish featuring succulent shrimp simmered in aromatic olive oil with plenty of garlic. In this delightful variation, we’re adding the salty richness of thinly sliced ham and the earthy flavor of button mushrooms for a more complex and satisfying experience. This recipe yields one generous serving for a meal or two servings as a delightful appetizer with wine. Perfect for sharing or savoring!
Ingredients- 60g peeled and deveined shrimp (about 5 pieces)
- 50g garlic
- 72g button mushrooms
- 15g Jamón (Spanish cured ham)
- Mozzarella cheese (as needed)
- 100ml olive oil
- Crushed red pepper flakes (or dried chili peppers)
- 5g fresh parsley
- Black pepper (to taste)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Begin by gathering and preparing all your ingredients as listed. This recipe is designed to serve one person as a meal or two people as an appetizer.
Step 2
Gently season the prepared shrimp with a pinch of salt and pepper. Please note: the amount of salt shown in the photo is for visual effect; use only what you prefer. For detailed shrimp preparation, refer to recipe @7025378.
Step 3
Trim the tough stems from the button mushrooms and gently tear the jamón into bite-sized pieces. Tip: Jamón is quite salty, so be mindful not to overload the mushrooms, as excessive saltiness can overpower the delicate flavors.
Step 4
Generously top the jamón-adorned mushrooms with mozzarella cheese. Your mushrooms are now prepped and ready!
Step 5
Thinly slice the garlic cloves into approximately 3mm thick rounds. Slicing them too thinly can cause them to burn easily during cooking.
Step 6
Pour a generous amount of olive oil into your skillet. Start by gently sautéing the sliced garlic over medium-low heat. This crucial step infuses the oil with a wonderful garlicky aroma. The exact amount of olive oil can vary based on your pan size; aim for enough to mostly submerge the shrimp. (Using a smaller pan can help conserve oil.)
Step 7
Once the garlic is fragrant and lightly golden, add the seasoned shrimp to the skillet. Cook until the shrimp begin to turn pink and opaque, about halfway through cooking.
Step 8
When the shrimp are partially cooked, artfully arrange the prepared mushrooms around the skillet amongst the shrimp.
Step 9
Mushrooms cook relatively quickly, but the mozzarella cheese needs time to melt. To help the cheese melt evenly and beautifully, continuously spoon the hot olive oil from the pan over the mushrooms and cheese.
Step 10
Once the ingredients are golden brown and the mozzarella cheese has melted into a delicious pool, generously sprinkle with crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of heat and color. (While traditional Spanish recipes often use whole dried chili peppers like Peperoncino, crushed red pepper flakes offer a convenient alternative.)
Step 11
Carefully transfer the cooked gambas, along with the fragrant, infused olive oil, into a serving dish. Arrange it attractively.
Step 12
Finally, garnish your beautiful dish with fresh parsley leaves. This adds a lovely pop of green color and a refreshing, herbaceous aroma.
Step 13
Serve hot with slices of crusty baguette or your favorite grain bread for dipping into the delicious garlic-infused oil. It’s an absolutely delightful experience!
