Baek Jong-won's Gambas al Ajillo Recipe: An Easy Spanish Seafood Dish for Home Cooks

Gambas al ajillo, a dish showcasing the delightful combination of olive oil's aroma with garlic, shrimp, and vegetables,Gambas al Ajillois a popular Spanish dish. Enjoying it with baguette or bread makes for a simple yet elegant meal. In particular, Chef Baek Jong-won's Gambas al Ajillo recipe boasts an easy process and a perfectly delicious result, making it easily accessible for anyone at home.

Gambas al Ajillo Ingredients

• Cocktail Shrimp (26/30 size) 10 pieces (100g)
• Whole Garlic Cloves 15 cloves (75g)
• Button Mushrooms 4 pieces (80g)
• Cherry Tomatoes 6 pieces (60g)
• Thai Chili Peppers 5 pieces (2g)
• Olive Oil 1 cup (180ml)
• Salt about 1/5 tablespoon (3g)
• Black Pepper a little
• Parsley Powder a little
• Baguette or Bread as needed

How to Make Gambas al Ajillo

1. Prepare Baguette or Bread

Slice the baguette or bread into bite-sized pieces and toast them in a pan until golden brown. The crispy texture complements the gambas perfectly, so be sure to prepare this step.

2. Prepare the Ingredients

• Clean the shrimp thoroughly. If any shrimp shells remain, remove them, and also remove the intestines for a clean preparation.
• Gently crush the whole garlic cloves with a knife. Crushing the garlic releases more of its aroma, enhancing the flavor of the gambas.
• Cut the button mushrooms into quarters and halve the cherry tomatoes after removing the stems and washing them.

3. Make the Garlic Oil

In a pan, add 1 cup of olive oil, crushed garlic cloves, crushed Thai chili peppers, and salt. Heat gently over medium-low heat. In this process, the aroma of garlic and chili peppers will infuse into the olive oil, enhancing the flavor. Once the garlic is golden brown, proceed to the next step.

4. Cook the Shrimp and Vegetables

Once the garlic oil is ready, add the prepared shrimp, button mushrooms, and cherry tomatoes. Simmer over low heat. Cook until the shrimp turns pink and is fully cooked. The button mushrooms and cherry tomatoes will absorb the oil, developing a natural sweetness.

5. Finishing and Setting

Transfer the cooked gambas to a serving dish and sprinkle with black pepper and parsley powder for garnish. The visual appeal of the well-combined garlic, shrimp, and vegetables will stimulate your appetite.

6. Serve with Baguette or Bread

Serve the warm Gambas al Ajillo with toasted baguette or bread for the perfect combination. Dipping the baguette into the oil allows the flavors of garlic and olive oil to spread throughout your mouth, creating a special experience.

The Allure of Gambas al Ajillo

Gambas al Ajillohas a significant advantage: with relatively simple ingredients and steps, you can create an elegant dish that rivals restaurant-quality food.

• The savory aroma of garlic and the flavor of olive oil blend with shrimp and vegetables to create a balanced taste.
• The addition of Thai chili peppers adds a touch of spiciness, resulting in a clean and refreshing aftertaste without being greasy.
• When paired with baguette or bread, it makes for a wonderful meal, and it can also be enjoyed as a perfect appetizer with wine.

Tip: Ways to Make Gambas al Ajillo Even More Special

1. Wine Pairing: Gambas al Ajillo pairs well with white wine. If you prefer a crisp taste, we recommend a dry white wine.
2. Add Other Seafood: Adding scallops or squid in addition to shrimp enhances both the flavor and texture.
3. Use Herbs: Adding fresh rosemary or thyme in addition to parsley powder can enhance the fragrant flavor.

Chef Baek Jong-won's Gambas al Ajillo recipe guarantees a simple yet high-quality taste. If you're looking for a special dish for tonight's dinner, try making Gambas al Ajillo. Anyone can easily recreate the restaurant taste at home!