Spanish Prawn Tapas

This Spanish Prawn Tapas is inspired by classic Spanish gambas al ajillo (garlic shrimp). Juicy, marinated prawns swimming in a spicy, garlicky olive oil sauce. Served with crusty baked bread to dip and chopped olives. Perfect for entertaining.

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mediterranean

Prep Time 5

Cook Time 30

Marinating Time 30

Total Time 1 5

Servings

Calories 360kcal

Author Amee

Ingredients

14 cloves garlic
1 lb raw prawns or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp kosher salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 bay leaf
1 dried chili guajillo pepper can sub red pepper flakes
2 tsp sherry cooking wine
1 tbsp fresh parsley chopped
1/2 cup kalamata olives chopped
1 baguette loaf baked and sliced

Instructions

Combine prawns, 2 tbsp olive oil, salt, baking soda, and 2 cloves minced garlic together in a bowl.
Toss well to coat, cover and set aside to marinate for 30 minutes at room temperature.
Heat a large skillet over medium-low heat and add 6 tbsp olive oil.
Smash 4 of the garlic cloves and add to oil.
Cook until garlic is lightly golden, then transfer garlic to a small plate and set pan aside and turn off heat until shrimp has finished marinating.
Slice 8 cloves of garlic into thin slices and return skillet to a low heat.
Cook garlic slices and add in bay leaf and dried chili.
Turn heat up to medium-low and add shrimp, cooking until just pink (about 2 minutes, turning them once)
Increase heat to high and add sherry and parsley.
Cook for 15-20 seconds and serve immediately with chopped olives and bread.

Notes

The sauce is truly the star of this dish, so be sure to use bold-flavored quality ingredients.
If your prawns are frozen, you can place them in a deep container under cool running water to thaw.
Be sure to pat the prawns dry before marinating so they better absorb all of the flavors.
Don't skip the fresh parsley!. It adds peppery citrus flavor and brightens up the whole dish.
Before serving, you can squeeze fresh lemon juice over the dish and garnish it with a sprinkling of paprika.

Nutrition