Are you one of those who enjoy weekends with family or friends gatherings around a table? Are you one of those who always chooses to be the host and cook for your guests? The arrival of Spring and, with it, the good weather, encourages organising get-togethers to enjoy good food accompanied by a long chat after the meal.
Today we're bringing you a simple and easy-to-make recipe that's always a winner, perfect as a starter to enjoy as a snack or to accompany many other meals: Gambas al Ajillo Casserole Recipe.
How to make garlic prawns
Prawns in garlic are a very typical dish of our cuisine, ideal to enjoy as a starter. For seafood lovers, they are a true delicacy that can be prepared simply and in a very short time. The secret to this recipe lies in the quality of the ingredients.
At Casino Alcalá Quality and simplicity they are not at odds. To prepare a delicious garlic prawn casserole, we have good ingredients: Fresh, quality prawns, some garlic and good extra virgin olive oil.
Before starting the recipe: cleaning the prawns
The main ingredient in this recipe is prawns. Therefore, we recommend you opt for fresh prawns to make the dish. And, as with any cooking, there has to be good execution and good technique. Therefore, it is important to take your time peeling the prawns.
It is traditional to serve this dish with the prawn already peeled, although in some places it is served with the prawn's head on, to enhance the flavour. At Casino Alcalá, we opt to peel the prawns and enhance the flavour with chilli and a splash of white wine.
We begin peeling the prawns to remove their heads, legs and shells. We recommend starting by separating the heads from all the prawns. Don't hesitate to save them (or freeze them) to make a delicious fish stock for any soup, stew, or rice dish.
Once the heads are removed, we just need to take each tail and, with the help of scissors, cut the shell lengthwise on the outside, and using a small knife, remove the intestine.
Preparing the garlic prawns
Take note! You will need:
- 500 grams of prawns
- 5 cloves of garlic
- 2 chillies
- Olive oil
- Hello
- A glass of white wine
Once the prawns have been peeled, place them in a frying pan (in the earthenware dish) heat the oil with the chillies. Peel and slice the garlic cloves and add them to the pan. Cook until the garlic is golden brown. Add the drained prawns to the oil. Turn up the heat, season with salt and pepper to taste, and also pour in a splash of white wine.
We leave it for two minutes, stirring occasionally to mix all the flavours. Once cooked to perfection, we plate it and serve it to our guests. Remember that they are served very hot, almost straight from the pan.
Here are some tips for Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Prawns) the Casino Alcalá style:
* **Quality Prawns are Key:** Use large, fresh, and good-quality prawns. If you can't get fresh, good quality frozen ones are fine, but make sure to thaw them thoroughly and pat them dry.
* **Plenty of Garlic:** Don't be shy with the garlic! Slice it thinly rather than mincing it. This allows it to infuse the oil beautifully without burning too easily.
* **Good Olive Oil:** A generous amount of good quality extra virgin olive oil is essential. This is the base of the flavour.
* **A Touch of Spice:** Use good quality dried chilli flakes or a whole dried chilli (or two!) for a gentle warmth. Adjust to your preference.
* **A Splash of Brandy or Sherry:** A small amount of brandy or dry sherry added just before the prawns adds a lovely depth of flavour. Let it flambé briefly if you're comfortable doing so.
* **Fresh Parsley is a Must:** Finely chopped fresh parsley added at the very end provides freshness and a vibrant colour.
* **Serve it Sizzling:** The dish should be served immediately, still sizzling in the hot terracotta or cast-iron dish.
* **Don't Overcook the Prawns:** Prawns cook very quickly. They should turn pink and opaque, not tough and rubbery. Add them to the hot oil and cook for just a couple of minutes per side.
* **Dunk the Bread:** Have some crusty bread ready to mop up all that delicious garlicky, chilli-infused olive oil. This is arguably as important as the prawns themselves!
Preparing this dish will only take you approximately 15 minutes and, as we've told you, it's an easy recipe where the main secret is to use quality ingredients. Also make a note of these three tips for preparing Casino Alcalá-style garlic prawns:
- Don't overcook the garlic, or it will become bitter.
- Don't overcook the prawns, or they'll dry out.
- Toss the prawns in when the oil is very hot and, instantly, the glass of white wine. The prawns will cook in two minutes thanks to the heat of the oil, garlic and chillies.
We encourage you to make this dish.