garlic shrimp

Between dips, nachos, and an assortment of crostini, it's hard for me to say what my signature appetizer is. However, the other day when I was discussing this with my sister, she said, "I know what your signature appetizer is: it's gambas!"

She was referring to gambas al ajillo, the classic Spanish tapa that combines sizzling pink shrimp with spicy, garlicky olive oil. It's always served with bread for mopping, meaning it's a dish that's somewhere between a dip and crostini. I quickly realized she was right: garlic shrimp are my signature appetizer.

I've made them more times than I could ever remember, and when I don't know what to serve, I always turn to the succulent gambas. It's a super easy, simple recipe that comes together quickly, so I highly recommend you add it to your arsenal. For my rendition of Spain's most flavorful and famous shrimp, read more

One of my favorite dishes of all time is a simple Spanish tapa known as gambas al ajillo, or garlic shrimp. It's served all over Spain and consists of sizzling shrimp in a fragrant and slightly spicy olive oil and garlic sauce. When I came across this recipe for pasta with garlic shrimp, I knew I had to give it a try. With the addition of white wine creating an excellent sauce, the recipe turns the classic shrimp appetizer into a main course. Definitely plan on serving it with plenty of crusty bread for dipping! To check out the technique, read more