In Grenoble it is a bit difficult to find raw prawns, they are always sold already cooked. In addition, if you find them raw, they are very expensive. However, there is a chain of frozen food, which has a good reputation for selling quality products, where you can buy raw prawns at a very acceptable price. And it is true, if the prawns are thawed carefully, they have a very good taste. This is where I usually buy my box of raw frozen prawns whenever I need them to prepare something such as a paella or this recipe for garlic prawns.
What is important to get perfect prawns is to thaw them in the refrigerator the day before in a container that allows them not to be in contact with water as it melts. I use for this purpose a silicone mold which has a bottom with holes, but a bowl with a strainer comes also in handy. Finally, do not forget to remove the “black thread” shrimp not eat them “dirty”.

Spanish Garlic Prawn Tapa Recipe (Gambas al Ajillo)
Ingredientes
- 250 g of peeled raw prawns
- 10 garlic cloves, peeled and sliced
- 2-3 cayenne peppers, halved
- 100 ml of olive oil
- salt
- Parsley, finely chopped
Elaboración
- Salt the prawns.
- In a skillet about 23-24 cm diameter, heat the olive oil over medium heat.
- When the oil is hot, add garlic and cayenne pepper.
- When the garlic becomes to golden, add the prawns.
- Sauté for about a minute on each side.
- Sprinkle with parsley ans stir a little.
- Remove from heat and serve immediately on a clay pot.
Sugerencias, trucos y consejos
- Do not forget to serve with white bread to dip in.
- You can use other hot peppers than cayenne.
- Vary the amount of hot pepper to taste. I use two Cayenne peppers depending on their size, for a not too hot dish, more than three, if I feel hotter.
- Do not use very small or very thin prawns.
- If you use frozen prawns, thaw them at least one day in the refrigerator and dry well. It is preferable to thaw in a sieve inside a bowl or other container in which the water is not in contact with the prawns.
- Use only raw prawns, precooked prawns will be a little dry in this recipe. Ideally we only need to color them in the garlic oil.
- Do not throw the prawn shells, use them to prepare a fish stock.
- To remove the black thread ( the bowel), pull it out with tweezers.
- Make a longitudinal cut for a nice presentation.