Last Updated on 15 April 2023 by cooksimply
One of my oldest school friends is Spanish – and I remember when I went to her family home for dinner and her mum made a large dish of gambas al ajillo with lots of warm bread. I thought it was the best thing ever – and asked her how she made it. Since then I have travelled to Spain extensively, and I will always ask for Spanish prawns with garlic. It always amazes me how so few simple but fresh ingredients can combine to make such a tasty, fresh, and vibrant meal. I’ve eaten gambas al ajillo with small prawns, peeled prawns, king prawns. And as a part of a tapas meal or with Spanish paella, it makes for a fantastic accompaniment or starter, too.
Why I love gamba al ajillo so much
I always talk about how much food influences my travel and travel influences my food. When I eat a dish it can transport me back to the destination. So when I eat garlic prawns, it reminds me of sitting in Madrid with friends. When I was sitting on a beach in La Caleta watching the sunset over the glistening sea. So many happy memories from one bite of this dish. And it’s fantastic to share with family and friends, too. Cue more laughter, chit chat and good times.
How to make Spanish prawns with garlic
The simplicity of these Spanish garlic prawns is what makes them so wonderful. The key here for the best flavour is to try and use the best and freshest ingredients and good quality prawns and olive oil. There are so few ingredients that are needed for Spanish garlic prawns – prawns, garlic cloves, lemon juice, olive oil, paprika, chilli and fresh parsley. Yes, that’s it! And all the method calls for is throwing everything together and cooking it in the oven.
What to serve with garlic prawns?
My favourite way to eat gambas al ajillo is with warm crusty bread – be it ciabatta, garlic bread – anything that can mop up the gorgeous garlic and chilli-infused oil. In some ways that is the best part for me. So always have enough bread on hand to complete this dish. You can also make this as part of a larger meal, perhaps with other tapas dishes including tortilla, chorizo, and patatas bravas. Or even a lovely green salad. Whatever you eat it with, these Spanish garlic shrimp are so moreish and there will never be enough!
Can you use frozen prawns?
Absolutely. If you’re not living by the coast, or near a seafood market, then it will be extremely difficult to buy the freshest prawns – so frozen prawns work just as well. Just make sure to thaw them before cooking.
Tasty Spanish prawns with garlic
Ingredients
- 100 ml of olive oil
- ½ teaspoon of paprika
- Pinch salt and pepper
- 600 g of raw king prawns deveined
- Juice of one lemon
- 4 cloves of garlic thinly sliced
- 1 red chilli finely chopped
- Handful freshly chopped parsley
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 180c.
- In a bowl, mix the olive oil, paprika, salt, and pepper together. And put to one side.
- In a baking dish, or ceramic dish, add the prawns and squeeze the lemon juice over the top of them. Then add the garlic and chili. Pour the olive oil over top, and combine the ingredients well.
- Place the dish in the oven and bake for 15 minutes.
- The prawns will be a pink colour and no longer translucent. Once cooked, sprinkle the chopped parsley and serve with warm crusty bread
Nutrition
Did you make these Spanish prawns with garlic?
Please let me know if you have tried this recipe. Leave a comment below and tag @cooksimplyathome on Instagram. You can find other delicious meal ideas here.
Great tasting recipes 👍
Absolutely brilliant 👏👏
Always one of my favourite tapas dishes on holiday – love being able to recreate it at home
My go to dish. So quick, easy and soooo tasty!
So tasty – love this dish!
Delicious. So fragrant. My favourite starter to serve