Restaurant-Style Gambas al Ajillo: The Ultimate Easy & Foolproof Recipe
Perfect for gatherings, snacks, or special occasions! The easiest, no-fail Gambas al Ajillo recipe (No more oily messes!)
Create a stunning Gambas al Ajillo at home that rivals any restaurant! Often, people struggle with making gambas too oily or burning the shrimp. With this recipe, those worries disappear! We’ll show you how to use the shrimp shells and heads to infuse the oil with a deep, rich flavor and provide tips for perfect low-heat cooking, ensuring even beginners will succeed. Enjoy plump, juicy shrimp bathed in aromatic oil, perfect for dipping crusty bread. Let’s start making delicious gambas right now!
Ingredients (Serves 2)- 15 large shrimp, shell-on
- 12 cloves garlic
- Fresh Italian parsley, a generous amount (or basil, cherry tomatoes)
- 6 dried red chili peppers (or 2 dried chilies)
- Extra virgin olive oil (enough to generously cover the shrimp heads)
- Salt
- Black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Hello everyone! Today, we’re making ‘Gambas al Ajillo,’ a dish you can enjoy just like at a restaurant! (For detailed steps, please refer to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyzbOAl7Sfc)
Step 2
To achieve the authentic flavor of gambas, using shrimp with their shells on is crucial! Cooking them with the shells allows their juices and aroma to infuse the oil much more deeply.
Step 3
Peel the garlic cloves and slice them into about 0.5 cm (1/4 inch) thick rounds. The exact thickness isn’t critical, so feel free to slice them casually.
Step 4
Finely chop the leaves of fresh Italian parsley, discarding the stems. If you don’t have parsley, fragrant basil or sweet cherry tomatoes are also excellent substitutes!
Step 5
Now, it’s time to prepare the shrimp. Here’s a vital tip: don’t discard the shrimp shells! We’ll use them to add incredible flavor to the gambas oil. Absolutely do not throw them away!
Step 6
For a detailed explanation on how to peel the shrimp, please watch the video. (Video link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyzbOAl7Sfc) Place the peeled shells and deveined heads in one bowl, and the clean shrimp tails in another.
Step 7
Add the prepared shells and heads to a clean pan. Start with ‘low heat.’ Cooking everything on low heat significantly reduces the chance of failure!
Step 8
Gently cook the shells and heads over low heat. Slow cooking on gentle heat allows the delicious flavors to transfer effectively into the oil. We’ll be using low heat for the entire process today!
Step 9
As you stir-fry the shells, you’ll notice they start to turn a beautiful reddish-orange color, releasing their delicious essence. This is the secret to the rich flavor of gambas.
Step 10
Once the shells begin to turn a lovely reddish hue, it’s time to pour in a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil.
Step 11
Pour in enough olive oil to generously cover the shrimp heads. This ensures that the flavor from the shells fully infuses the oil, creating a wonderfully flavorful gambas oil.
Step 12
Continue to simmer gently over low heat for about 10 minutes. Be careful not to burn anything, allowing the oil to absorb all the delicious ingredients.
Step 13
After about 10 more minutes of simmering, you’ll see the flavorful liquid from the shells and heads mingling with the oil, turning it into a rich, reddish broth. Doesn’t it look appetizing?
Step 14
Once the oil has been sufficiently infused, carefully strain it using a fine-mesh sieve, removing the shells and heads. We want to keep only the clear, aromatic gambas oil.
Step 15
Discard the strained shells and heads as they are no longer needed.
Step 16
Now, it’s time to add the clean shrimp tails to the fragrant oil.
Step 17
Add the sliced garlic cloves to the oil as well. The garlic not only adds its own aroma but also helps to cut through the richness of the oil, making it less heavy.
Step 18
Simmer again over low heat for about 10 minutes. It’s important to cook slowly so that the shrimp and garlic can fully absorb the flavors of the oil.
Step 19
Add the 6 dried red chili peppers for a touch of heat. If you don’t have red chilies, you can use about 2 chopped dried chilies. Adjust the spiciness to your preference. (Even those sensitive to spice can enjoy this!)
Step 20
Crush the red chilies slightly with your hands before adding them to release their spicy flavor more effectively.
Step 21
Add about 3 pinches of salt to enhance the savory taste. Adjust the seasoning to your liking.
Step 22
Grind in a little black pepper. Adding it at the end adds a wonderfully fresh aroma. Make sure the overall seasoning is balanced.
Step 23
Finally, sprinkle the chopped parsley over the dish. Adding it at the end preserves its fresh aroma, further enhancing the gambas’ flavor.
Step 24
Voila! Your incredibly easy and delicious Gambas al Ajillo is ready! (For more details, please see the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyzbOAl7Sfc)
Step 25
Serve this delightful dish with warm, crusty bread or baguettes. Whether you’re with a loved one, family, or enjoying a quiet moment alone, this gambas will make any meal feel special! Enjoy your meal! (Reference video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KyzbOAl7Sfc)
