Recipe: Gambas al ajillo on toast

TAMPA, Fla. - Learn to make Chef Terrell Manning's Gambas al ajillo on toast. 

Ingredients (Serves 2–4)

1 lb large shrimp, peeled & deveined

6–8 garlic cloves, thinly sliced

1/2 cup Spanish olive oil

• 1 tsp red pepper flakes
• 1 tbsp Chef’s Secret Seasoning
• 1 tbsp chopped parsley
• Juice of 1/2 lemon
• 1 knob butter
• 3 thick-cut chunks of Cuban bread

Instructions

Season the Shrimp

Pat the shrimp dry and season evenly with Chef’s Secret Seasoning.

Infuse the Oil

In a skillet or cast iron pan, heat the olive oil over medium-low heat.

Add:

• sliced garlic
• red pepper flakes

Cook gently for 2–3 minutes until the garlic becomes fragrant and lightly golden. Avoid browning the garlic too much.

Cook the Shrimp

Increase heat to medium-high.

Add the shrimp in a single layer and cook:

• 60–90 seconds on the first side
• Flip and cook another 60 seconds

The shrimp should be pink, tender, and slightly curled.

Finish the Sauce

Add:

• lemon juice
• parsley
• knob of butter

Swirl the pan until the butter melts into the sauce.

Toast the Bread

• Remove the shrimp from the pan temporarily.
• Place the Cuban bread cut-side down into the skillet and toast until crisp and golden, allowing it to absorb some of the garlic oil.

Serve

• Arrange the shrimp over the toasted Cuban bread and spoon the remaining garlic butter sauce over the top.
• Finish with extra parsley, lemon zest, or a light sprinkle of Chef’s Secret Seasoning if desired.