Camarones al Ajillo
Camarones al Ajillo is a classic Spanish tapas dish featuring shrimp sautéed in a generous amount of olive oil with sliced garlic, dried guindilla chili peppers, and a splash of brandy or sherry. It originates from Spain, particularly popular in Andalusia, and is a staple in tapas bars across the country. The dish is celebrated for its simplicity and bold flavors, often served sizzling hot with crusty bread to soak up the garlic-infused oil.
🍽️ Nutrition at a glance
This dish is high in protein from the shrimp and healthy fats from the olive oil, with minimal carbohydrates. It provides key nutrients like selenium, vitamin B12, and omega-3 fatty acids, and a typical serving contains roughly 250-300 calories.
Nutrition breakdown
| Calories | 280 kcal |
| Protein | 24 g |
| Carbs | 2 g |
| Fat | 20 g |
| Fiber | 0 g |
| Sugar | 0 g |
| Sodium | 450 mg |
| Selenium | 54 mcg |
| Vitamin B12 | 2.1 mcg |
| Phosphorus | 210 mg |
| Zinc | 1.8 mg |
| Niacin (B3) | 3.2 mg |
| Iron | 2.1 mg |
| Potassium | 290 mg |
| Vitamin E | 2.4 mg |
Per 1 cup (200 g) · estimated, varies by recipe
💡 What's interesting
Culturally, Camarones al Ajillo embodies the Spanish tapas tradition of sharing small, flavorful plates, and its sizzling presentation is part of the dining experience. Nutritionally, the olive oil base offers heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, while the garlic provides allicin, a compound with antioxidant properties.
