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Tara Sutaria’s love for food is no secret. The actor who’s also a talented singer and dancer has some great skills in the kitchen, especially when it comes to exotic recipes. Tara just shared a glimpse at a plate of delicious Gambas Al Ajillo on her Instagram story, which she possibly whipped up herself and even shared the ingredients with her followers.
Gambas Al Ajillo is a popular tapas dish, which is a part of most Spanish menus across the world. The dish has its origins in the Andalusia region, which is famed for its flavourful seafood dishes. A Gambas Al Ajillo is basically sizzling shrimp cooked in an olive oil-based sauce. Tara’s version is a classic one and features prawns, garlic, olive oil, parsley, dry sherry, sweet paprika and lots of Calabrian chillies. Incidentally Calabrian chillies are msotly used in Italian recipes and have a smoky warmth and some mild fruity notes.
Although Gambas Al Ajillo can be made with any kind of chillies, be it whole red chillies or chilli flakes, it depends on your tastes. As for the rest of the recipe, Tara’s version is pretty spot-on! Gambas al ajillo is made with sizeable shrimps which are cooked in an ajillo sauce made from paprika-infused olive oil, lemon juice, and sherry. In case you can’t spot dry sherry, you can also use sherry wine. The best part about this recipe is that it takes just 15 minutes to make and it can easily be served on a skillet!
It’s no surprise that Tara would zero in on this seafood delicacy which is a really great winter meal. The actor loves exploring classic and modern recipes. Last Christmas Tara treated her pals to a homecooked Christmas spread featuring pecan pie, honey-glazed ham and turkey. IN case you want to make this delicious Gambas Al Ajillo at home, here’s an easy recipe
Gambas Al Ajillo
Ingredients
1 pound (450g) large shrimp, peeled and deveined
6 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes (adjust according to your spice preference)
1/2 cup (120ml) extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon Spanish paprika (optional, for additional flavor and color)
Salt, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
Crusty bread, for serving
Method
Clean, peel, and devein the shrimp and pat them dry with paper towels.
In a large skillet or pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Use extra virgin olive oil for the best flavour.
Add the thinly sliced garlic to the heated olive oil. Stir it continuously to prevent burning.
Once the garlic becomes aromatic and starts to sizzle, add the red pepper flakes. Adjust the amount based on your spice preference.
Add the prepared shrimp to the skillet. Arrange them in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Sprinkle a pinch of salt over the shrimp for seasoning.
Cook the shrimp for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they turn pink and opaque. Don’t overcook, as shrimp can become rubbery if cooked for too long.
If you want to add an extra layer of flavor and a vibrant colour to your dish, sprinkle Spanish paprika over the shrimp.
