Spanish Gambas Pil Pil - Shrimp with Garlic Chilli Oil
Gambas al Pil Pil is a classic Spanish tapas dish made with plump, juicy prawns cooked quickly in garlic and chilli infused olive oil. It’s simple, full of flavour, and ready in minutes, which is exactly why it’s such a popular dish across Spain.This is the kind of recipe that relies on good ingredients and the right technique rather than lots of extras. It is cooked in a matter of minutes. When done properly, the oil becomes beautifully fragrant and perfect for dipping bread into.
Ingredients
- Salt and Pepper
- 300 g Prawns
- 150 ml Olive Oil
- 8 cloves Garlic Sliced to medium thickness
- 2 Red Chillies Sliced or Red Chilli Flakes
- 1 tablespoon Smoked Paprika
- 1 teaspoon Dry Parsley
- Lemon
Instructions
- Season the prawns lightly with salt and black pepper and set aside.
- Heat the olive oil over medium heat until it starts to bubble gently.
- Add the sliced garlic and chopped red chillies. Cook briefly until fragrant, and lightly browned.
- Add the prawns in a single layer. Cook for 1–1½ minutes, then turn as soon as they change colour.
- Stir in the smoked paprika and dried parsley.
- Remove from the heat and sprinkle over fresh parsley. Add a small squeeze of lemon if using.
- Serve immediately while hot with crusty bread.
Notes
What to Serve With Pil Pil
This dish is best served with bread to soak up the garlic chilli oil:Crusty bread Garlic bread Baguette Ciabatta The oil is an essential part of the dish and should not be wasted.
Helpful Tips for Best Results
GarlicSlice the garlic to a medium thickness. Garlic that is sliced too thin or grated can burn quickly and become bitter.
Each medium clove should give around 7–8 slices.
Oil
The amount of oil may seem generous, but it creates the sauce. Any leftover garlic-infused oil can be stored and used to flavour other dishes during the week.
Cooking Time
Prawns cook very quickly. As soon as they turn pink, they should be removed from the heat to keep them tender.
Storage Instructions
FridgeStore in an airtight container for up to 3 days.
Freezer
This dish can be frozen for up to 3 months. Because the prawns are lightly cooked, they reheat well.
To reheat, allow to come to room temperature, then warm gently on the hob for 1–2 minutes.
Nutrition
Calories: 317kcalCarbohydrates: 3gProtein: 1gFat: 34gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 4gMonounsaturated Fat: 25gSodium: 3mgPotassium: 65mgFiber: 1gSugar: 0.2gVitamin A: 875IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 15mgIron: 1mg
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