Spanish Garlic Shrimp, (Gambas al Ajillo), is a popular Spanish tapas because it is insanely delicious and an easy recipe to make too!

Spanish tapas are small plates of food served between meals and often accompanied by wine or other type of alcohol. The word “tapas” is derived from the Spanish verb tapar meaning “to cover.” This week the Sunday Supper Tastemakers are taking a culinary journey to Spain with classic and contemporary Spanish Tapas Recipes inspired by Tapa Toro in Orlando, FL. Thank you so much to our wonderful host, Caroline of Caroline's Cooking!

One of my favorite tapas is Gambas al Ajillo, or as I call it Spanish Garlic Shrimp. There is something magical about sweet shrimp swimming in slightly spicy, intensely garlicky olive oil sauce. It makes a great appetizer or light meal. Be sure to pair this tapas with your favorite crusty bread for sopping up every delicious drop of the tasty sauce.

This recipe is incredibly easy to make and takes about 10 minutes tops! These shrimp can be eaten as is, paired with a salad, served over rice or noodles, you name it! It's a great go to recipe and always a hit. 

Gather your ingredients first and have everything ready to go, as this recipe moves fast! You'll need 1 pound of medium shrimp, cleaned and seasoned with salt & pepper. Measure 1/2 cup olive oil, slice 3 red Thai chiles, mince lots of garlic cloves until you have 2 tablespoons of minced garlic, and chop 2 tablespoons of parsley. You'll be glad you did!

Heat a skillet over mid-high heat and add 1/2 cup olive oil. Test the oil is hot by dropping in a few of the chiles. If they sizzle, the oil is ready. Add the remaining chiles and saute about 2-3 minutes until the peppers start to soften...

Add the 2 tablespoons of minced garlic and saute about 30 seconds. The garlic will smell amazing!

Add the seasoned shrimp...

Saute the shrimp about 2-3 minutes until cooked through. The shrimp will take on a slightly pink color and be opaque.

Remove from heat and transfer to serving dish immediately so the shrimp don't overcook. Enjoy!

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Spanish Garlic Shrimp

By Life Tastes Good
Published 05/15/2016

Ingredients

• 1 pound medium raw shrimp, peeled and deveined
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 3 fresh Thai chili peppers, sliced
• 2 tablespoons freshly minced garlic
• 1-2 tablespoons freshly chopped parsley for garnish

Instructions

1. Season shrimp with 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/4 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper and set aside.
2. Heat a skillet over mid-high heat and add 1/2 cup olive oil. Test the oil is hot by dropping in a few of the chiles. If they sizzle, the oil is ready. Add the remaining chiles and saute about 2-3 minutes until the peppers start to soften.
3. Add the 2 tablespoons of minced garlic and saute about 30 seconds. The garlic will smell amazing!
4. Add the seasoned shrimp and saute about 2-3 minutes until cooked through. The shrimp will take on a slightly pink color and be opaque.
5. Remove from heat and transfer to serving dish immediately so the shrimp don't overcook. Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and enjoy!

Yield: 4 Servings
Prep Time: 5 mins.

Cook time: 5 mins.
Total time: 10 mins.

Tags: Spanish Garlic Shrimp, Tapas, Spanish, Easy Recipe, Appetizer, Party, Snack, Light Meal, Garlic, Spicy