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    Home » Recipes » Dinner » Fish

    23rd December 2020 Fish

    Home » Recipes » Dinner » Fish

    Gambas Pil Pil

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    Gambas Pil Pil - Spanish Gambas or Pil Pil is a popular and simple tapas recipe for plump and juicy Garlic and Chilli Prawns. What’s more? It is absolutely delicious and ready to eat in a matter of minutes!

    Pil Pil in pan and tapas dish with garlic bread

    GAMBAS PIL PIL - What are Pil Pil Prawns

    Pil pil is a traditional Spanish dish originating from the Basque Country. Usually made with seafood such as Prawns/Shrimp or Salt Fish. This dish is served as tapas or an appetiser/starter.

    This recipe is made with Fresh Prawns, Olive Oil, Garlic, Red Chillies, Smoked Paprika and Parsley.

    The prawns are cooked very quickly and are served sizzling in a hot oil that usually in an earthenware dish or ramekin as tapas starter with crusty bread. 

    The oil absorbs all the flavour of the ingredients and becomes the most flavourful and succulent dipping oil. Perfect to dip some crusty garlic bread into!

    What is Pil Pil in Spanish?

    ‘Pil Pil’ refers to the sound of the oil bubbling once it gets hot.

    How to clean Shell on Prawns

    After you have rinsed the prawns, the easiest way to clean them is to hold the prawn with one hand and firmly pull the head off, then gently lift the shell off.
     
    It may break but just repeat until the shell is removed. Devein, then pull the tails off if you want to. 

    If you prefer, you can use pre shelled and deveined prawns but shell on prawns always taste better even if that shell is removed just before cooking.

    Pil Pil Ingredients 

    There are very few ingredients in this recipe so try to use the best that you can. You need five main ingredients:

    Olive Oil

    A light olive oil is best. Steer clear of Extra Virgin Olive Oil. Light Olive Oil is refined and has a higher smoke point then most Olive Oils.

    Prawns

    Fresh plump Jumbo King Prawns that are peeled are great to use in this recipe because they are full of flavour and take on flavour well too.

    I also like to use Prawns in their shell sometimes and either remove the shell or keep it on. Both work great.

    Garlic

    Sliced fresh garlic adds so much flavour in this recipe. It is best to not slice too fine as it can burn. 

    Smoked Paprika

    This adds a smoky flavour as well as colour.

    Red Chillies

    Chopped red chillies or dried chilli flakes can be used in this recipe. For best flavour I would opt for the fresh chilli.  

    Dry and Fresh Parsley

    Parsley is a gentle citrusy herb that compliments this dish perfectly. I use both fresh and dry herbs but you can use either or both like I do.

    Lemons

    I like to add a squeeze of Lemon before serving.

    How to make Gambas Pil Pil 

    Once you have peeled the prawns, season with salt and pepper and set aside. 

     

    Prawns with salt and pepper in bowl

    Heat Olive Oil until lightly bubbling. 

    Oil in pan

    Once hot, add Garlic and chopped Red Chillies.

    Garlic in oil in pan

     

    Red Chilli added to pan

    Add Prawns and cook for 1 - 1 1/2 minutes before flipping or as soon as they change colour.

    Prawns, garlic and chilli in pan

    Pink prawns in pan

    Add Smoked Paprika and Dry Parsley and stir in.

    Smoked paprika added to pan

    Sprinkle over fresh chopped parsley.

    Serve with a sprinkle of Lemon Juice.

    Dry parsley added to prawns in pan

    Pil Pil in pan and tapas dish with garlic bread

    What to serve with Gambas Pil Pil

    It is best served with bread - fresh bread, crusty bread, garlic bread. Any bread that you can dip into the delicious oil.

    Expert Tips

    Garlic

    It is better to slice the Garlic for this recipe. If you slice it too finely it may burn.

    Grating it can make it bitter. So the best option in this recipe is to slice it to a medium thickness.

    Each medium piece of Garlic should give you around 7 - 8 slices.

    Oil

    The quantity of oil here may seem excessive but this will be mopped up  before you know it.

    Any remaining oil can be used to flavour other dishes throughout the week.

    Storage Instructions

    Fridge 

    This keeps well in the fridge in an airtight container or cling filmed dish for up to 3 days but in my experience it doesn't last longer then 3 minutes.

    Freezer

    I don’t often recommend freezing prawns because reheating them makes them rubbery but because these are barely cooked, they are actually fine to be frozen.

    Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    To reheat, bring to room temperature and cook for 1 - 2 minutes on the hob. 

    More Prawn Recipes:

    Prawn Chow Mein

    Prawn Masala

    Prawn Ghee Roast

    Goan Prawn Curry

    if you try this recipe, or any other recipe on tiffin and tea, please take a moment to ⭐ rate the recipe and/ or leave me a 💬 comment. i love hearing from you, but it also helps shape future content and helps other readers who are thinking of making the recipe.

    Pil Pil in pan and tapas dish with garlic bread

    Pil Pil in pan and tapas dish with garlic bread
    4.5 from 6 votes
    Print

    Gambas Pil Pil

    Gambas Pil Pil - Spanish Gambas or Pil Pil is a popular and simple tapas recipe for plump and juicy Garlic and Chilli Prawns. What’s more? It is absolutely delicious and ready to eat in a matter of minutes!

    Course Appetizer, Starters
    Cuisine Spanish
    Keyword Gambas Pil PIl, Pil PIl, Spanish Pil PIl
    Prep Time 5 minutes
    Cook Time 5 minutes
    Total Time 10 minutes
    Servings 4
    Calories 163 kcal
    Author Safira

    Ingredients

    • 240 g Raw King Prawns Shelled and Deveined
    • Flaky Salt and Course Pepper
    • 75 ml Extra Virgin Olive Oil
    • 7 medium cloves Garlic Sliced to medium thickness
    • 2 Red Chillies Sliced finely
    • 1 tsp Smoked Paprika
    • ½ tsp Dry Parsley
    • Few Leaves Fresh Parsley Chopped finely
    • 2 tbsp Lemon To serve, optional

    Instructions

    1. Season prawns with salt and pepper and set aside.

    2. Heat Olive Oil in a deep pan.

    3. Once hot, add Garlic and chopped Red Chillies.

    4. Once they sizzle, add Prawns and cook for 1 - 1 1/2 minutes before flipping. Or just flip as soon as they change colour.

    5. Add Smoked Paprika and Dry Parsley. Cook for a further 1 1/2 minute.

    6. Sprinkle over fresh chopped parsley. Serve with a wedge of Lemon.

    Recipe Notes

    What to serve with Gambas Pil Pil

    It is best served with bread - fresh bread, crusty bread, garlic bread. Any bread that you can dip into the delicious oil.

    Expert Tips

    Garlic

    It is better to slice the Garlic for this recipe. If you slice it too finely it may burn.

    Grating it can make it bitter. So the best option in this recipe is to slice it to a medium thickness.

    Each medium piece of Garlic should give you around 7 - 8 slices.

    Oil

    The quantity of oil here may seem excessive but this will be mopped up  before you know it.

    Any remaining oil can be used to flavour other dishes throughout the week.

    Storage Instructions

    Fridge 

    This keeps well in the fridge in an airtight container or cling filmed dish for up to 3 days but in my experience it doesn't last longer then 3 minutes.

    Freezer

    I don’t often recommend freezing prawns because reheating them makes them rubbery but because these are barely cooked, they are actually fine to be frozen.

    Store in an airtight container for up to 3 months.

    To reheat, bring to room temperature and cook for 1 - 2 minutes on the hob

    Nutrition Facts
    Gambas Pil Pil
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 163 Calories from Fat 153
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 17g26%
    Saturated Fat 2g13%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 13g
    Sodium 2mg0%
    Potassium 43mg1%
    Carbohydrates 3g1%
    Fiber 0.5g2%
    Sugar 0.3g0%
    Protein 0.5g1%
    Vitamin A 248IU5%
    Vitamin C 6mg7%
    Calcium 13mg1%
    Iron 0.3mg2%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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    Related

    More Fish

    • Frozen Coconut Shrimp in Air Fryer (with sweet chilli sauce)
    • Dry Masala Prawns Fry (Indian)
    • Baked Tandoori Salmon
    • 5 Minute Lemon and Garlic Air Fryer Shrimp

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Kp says

      July 23, 2021 at 11:49 am

      5 stars
      Such an easy and amazingly tasty recipe. Only way to eat prawns for me

      Reply
      • Safira says

        July 23, 2021 at 11:51 am

        Glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

        Reply
    2. Victoria Jones says

      January 11, 2022 at 7:43 pm

      5 stars
      Just made this. Delicious! And so easy, I’ll be making this regularly. Thank you

      Reply
      • Safira says

        January 12, 2022 at 12:38 pm

        Thankyou! So glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

        Reply

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    328 shares