Asheville Travel and Recipe Archives - A Spicy Perspective https://www.aspicyperspective.com/category/travel-2/asheville/ Easy Gourmet Recipes and Spicy Conversation. Get a fresh take on comfort food, healthy meals, approachable ethnic cuisine, and well as family travel destinations. Sat, 01 Apr 2023 23:41:14 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.2.1 56975875 The Breakfast Salad https://www.aspicyperspective.com/the-breakfast-salad/ https://www.aspicyperspective.com/the-breakfast-salad/#comments Sat, 01 Apr 2023 23:00:00 +0000 http://aspicyperspective.com/?p=6203 The Breakfast Salad Recipe – Get your greens in the morning with eggs, bacon, cinnamon toast croutons, and maple vinaigrette! An unconventional morning meal, The Breakfast Salad with Cinnamon Toast Croutons and Maple Vinaigrette. Who knew a salad for breakfast could be so good? I’ve noticed a trend here in Asheville and on the menus of popular breakfast joints […]]]>

The Breakfast Salad Recipe – Get your greens in the morning with eggs, bacon, cinnamon toast croutons, and maple vinaigrette!

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Jalapeno Hushpuppies Recipe https://www.aspicyperspective.com/jalapeno-hushpuppies-recipe/ https://www.aspicyperspective.com/jalapeno-hushpuppies-recipe/#comments Sat, 25 Feb 2023 01:00:00 +0000 http://aspicyperspective.com/?p=2719 Homemade Hush Puppies Recipe – The absolute best Jalapeno Hushpuppies Recipe, from the famed Okie Dokies Smokehouse in Asheville, North Carolina. Southern Homemade Hush Puppies Sometimes you get the chance to walk into a person’s life at a divinely appointed moment, and witness something truly wonderful. That characterizes my encounter with friends Jody and Steve Dunning, owners […]]]>

Homemade Hush Puppies Recipe – The absolute best Jalapeno Hushpuppies Recipe, from the famed Okie Dokies Smokehouse in Asheville, North Carolina.

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Best Cut Out Sugar Cookies + Sugar Cookie Icing https://www.aspicyperspective.com/sugar-cookie-icing-and-cut-out-cookie-recipe/ https://www.aspicyperspective.com/sugar-cookie-icing-and-cut-out-cookie-recipe/#comments Tue, 07 Feb 2023 01:00:00 +0000 http://aspicyperspective.com/?p=7821 Don’t have the time or skills to make fancy pipe-decorated sugar cookies? Today I offer you my absolute favorite EASY Sugar Cookie Icing and Best Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe for parties, picnics, and holiday baking endeavors. You Can Make Amazing Cut-Out Sugar Cookies… Yes, You Really Can. We all love the look of those intricately decorated sugar cookies that have been […]]]>

Don’t have the time or skills to make fancy pipe-decorated sugar cookies? Today I offer you my absolute favorite EASY Sugar Cookie Icing and Best Cut Out Sugar Cookie Recipe for parties, picnics, and holiday baking endeavors.

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Perfect Southern Collard Greens https://www.aspicyperspective.com/perfect-southern-collard-greens/ https://www.aspicyperspective.com/perfect-southern-collard-greens/#comments Sun, 13 Nov 2022 03:00:00 +0000 http://aspicyperspective.com/?p=1789 Perfect Southern Collard Greens Recipe – How to cook collard greens. This recipe comes straight off the menu at Homegrown, a local restaurant we love. They are hearty, rich, and comforting. Just how grandma used to make them! Collards from Asheville’s HomeGrown Restaurant Today we are serving up Homegrown’s Perfect Southern Collard Greens with bacon and turnips! Asheville […]]]>

Perfect Southern Collard Greens Recipe – How to cook collard greens. This recipe comes straight off the menu at Homegrown, a local restaurant we love. They are hearty, rich, and comforting. Just how grandma used to make them!

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Fresh Blueberry Pie with Almond Pie Crust https://www.aspicyperspective.com/fresh-blueberry-pie-almond-pie-crust/ https://www.aspicyperspective.com/fresh-blueberry-pie-almond-pie-crust/#comments Thu, 04 Aug 2022 02:00:00 +0000 http://aspicyperspective.com/too-late-for-blueberry-pie/ Best Blueberry Pie Recipe – We’re sharing a dazzling Fresh Blueberry Pie with Almond Pie Crust today, just in time for berry season. In the summer, we like to take our kids up to a wonderful little spot along the Blue Ridge Parkway called Graveyard Fields. It’s a popular stop for casual (kid-friendly) hiking and wild blueberry picking. The […]]]>

Best Blueberry Pie Recipe – We’re sharing a dazzling Fresh Blueberry Pie with Almond Pie Crust today, just in time for berry season.

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Famous Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp Recipe) https://www.aspicyperspective.com/gambas-al-ajillo-spanish-garlic-shrimp/ https://www.aspicyperspective.com/gambas-al-ajillo-spanish-garlic-shrimp/#comments Sat, 08 Jan 2022 03:09:35 +0000 http://aspicyperspective.com/?p=3404 Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp Recipe) – Classic Spanish recipe and popular dish from Curate Tapas Bar in Asheville, North Carolina. Gambas Al Ajillo I’m thrilled today to share with you a recipe from nationally renowned Chef Katie Button. Katie started Asheville’s famed restaurant Curaté, and shared not one but two recipes Gambas Al […]]]>

Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp Recipe) – Classic Spanish recipe and popular dish from Curate Tapas Bar in Asheville, North Carolina.

Gambas Al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp) - Top view of this shrimp recipe from Curate in Asheville NC

Gambas Al Ajillo

I’m thrilled today to share with you a recipe from nationally renowned Chef Katie Button. Katie started Asheville’s famed restaurant Curaté, and shared not one but two recipes Gambas Al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp) and Pan con Tomate.

This simple Spanish Garlic Shrimp recipe is certainly more than meets the eye. Packed with garlic, arbol chile, and sherry flavor, it is the perfect protein dish to adorn a traditional tapas feast.

These big juicy shrimp kissed with spicy oil can be served as an appetizer, piled over potato puree, or even tossed with pasta.

This recipe served alongside some pan con tomate and mushrooms

About Katie Button

Katie Button’s culinary journey started in a curious place. She finished her undergrad at Cornell, then moved to Paris to get her Master’s in Biomedical Engineering. Although she excelled in math and science, Katie’s educational pursuit left a void in her life. Engineering offered her praise and potential prestige, but no real fulfillment.

While studying in Paris, Katie lived in a little apartment around the corner from Rue Mouffetard, famous for its glorious food markets. Fascinated by the Parisian way of savoring ingredients and giving proper respect to the foods they prepared, she spent endless hours practicing cooking techniques and experimenting in her tiny kitchen.

After returning to the states, Katie was accepted into a Ph.D. program for Neuroscience. Yet, two weeks before she was due to arrive,  Katie quit something for the first time in her life. She had a deep resolve that this was not the path meant for her. To the astonishment of friends and family, she took a wait staff position at Café Atlántico in Washington DC.

From a certain career in Neuroscience to a first-time waitress? Had Katie lost her compass? No. 

Katie looked at this as another opportunity to learn. Café Atlántico is no run-of-the-mill restaurant. It is one of several celebrated restaurants from renowned Chef José Andrés, one of the most respected chefs in the US. It should be noted that José Andrés trained in Spain under famed Chef Ferran Adrià of El Bulli, a Michelin 3 star winner, and considered the world’s BEST restaurant for 5 years. (Ferran Adrià is also thought of as the father of molecular gastronomy and culinary deconstructionism.)

Behind the scenes look at the kitchen at curate

A Long Journey To Gambas al Ajillo… And Other Spanish Recipes

Although Katie wasn’t allowed to work in the kitchen at Café Atlántico, for lack of formal training or experience; she would take her days off to come into work, simply to watch and learn. Interest became fortitude; fortitude became passion.

During this time, Ferran Adrià sent several of his employees to Washington DC to help his friend José Andrés with training. At this party came Felix Meana, El Bulli’s “Chef de Rang” or head of the dining room. Katie and Felix developed a strong bond and when it was time for Felix to return to Spain, it was decided that Katie would go with Felix and work at El Bulli. She still was not allowed in the kitchen, due to lack of experience, but she was the first American to ever serve at El Bulli and was able to study Chef Ferran Adrià’s flawless technique and ingenuity.

When Katie left Spain, she had the approval and recommendation of Ferran Adrià and was finally able to work in a professional kitchen, first at José Andrés’ The Bazaar in Los Angeles and then at Jean Georges in New York. To Katie’s delight, now that she had experience, she was offered a position back at El Bulli. There she finalized her “education” as a line cook in one of the most sought-after restaurants on the planet.

Gambas Al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp) - A few pieces of shrimp in a black bowl topped with a red chili pepper

Curate Tapas Bar

So what is she doing now, you ask? Katie Button and Felix Meana are in ASHEVILLE! When they returned to the states, they searched for the perfect place to open their first restaurant together. After a long road trip down the east coast, they decided Asheville, North Carolina had just the right feel and food culture in which to birth their dream.

With the help of Katie’s family, Curate Tapas Bar opened its doors on March 4th, 2011 and is feverishly making its mark on Asheville. Katie and Felix focus on high-quality ingredients, simple authentic Spanish preparations, and painstaking attention to detail. This casual eatery, serving rustic dishes, exudes elegance in every way. 

If you aren’t a local but plan to be in Asheville this spring, Curate Tapas Bar is definitely worth checking out!

Gambas Al Ajillo Ingredients
Raw seafood with some spices alongside it for seasoning

What Ingredients You Will Need

  • Whole Garlic Clovewith peel on
  • Garlic Clove sliced thin, this is in addition to the other garlic clove
  • Dried Arbol Chilior you can substitute with a pinch of chili flakes
  • Bay Leaf
  • Shrimpcleaned, peeled and butterflied with the tail left on
  • Light Olive Oilor an olive oil blend will work as well
  • Dry Sherry
  • Salt
Gambas Al Ajillo Recipe (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)
Cook the seafood in a hot pan to saute it to perfection

How To Make Gambas al Ajillo 

  1. Saute. Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium heat with the whole clove of garlic skin on, just until the skin on the garlic starts to brown.
  2. Slice Shrimp. Meanwhile salt the shrimp with a half a teaspoon of salt. Once the whole garlic clove has started to brown, add the sliced garlic, and as soon as the sliced garlic just barely begins to brown, add the arbol chili, bay leaf, and the shrimp.
  3. Add and Saute Again. Toss everything together in the saute pan cooking the shrimp. When the shrimp is halfway cooked (still raw in the center), remove from the heat and add the sherry, mix well, and return to the stove over medium heat.
  4. Remove Shrimp. As soon as the shrimp is just cooked through, remove the shrimp from the pan with tongs and place on the serving dish. Return the sauce to the stove and reduce a little bit, tasting and adjusting the seasoning for salt.
  5. Plate and Serve. Pour the hot sauce over the shrimp and serve immediately.

Get the Complete Printable Gambas al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp Recipe) Below. Enjoy!

Gambas Al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp) - Side view of this finished recipe ready to share with the table tapas style

Frequently Asked Questions 

Can I Store Leftover Garlic Shrimp In The Fridge?

Yes you can! Make sure to store it in an airtight container after it has fully cooled down, and just like other seafood leftovers you would want to eat it within 48 hours. 

Can I Freeze This Spanish Garlic Shrimp? 

Yes, again make sure that it is completely cool before putting it in a small airtight container with all the oil in the recipe. It can last for up to 3 months in the freezer.

Finished tapas recipe for the whole table

Other Great Spanish Recipes

Print

Famous Gambas Al Ajillo (Spanish Garlic Shrimp)

Gambas al Ajillo from Curate Tapas Bar in Asheville, North Carolina.
Course Appetizer, Main Course, Seafood
Cuisine American, Spanish
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings 2
Calories 165kcal
Author Sommer Collier

Ingredients

  • 1 clove garlic whole, with peel on
  • 1 clove garlic sliced thin
  • 1 dried arbol chili (sub. pinch of chili flakes)
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 8 shrimp cleaned, peeled and butterflied with tail left on
  • 2 tablespoons light olive oil or an olive oil blend
  • 2 tablespoons dry sherry
  • Salt

Instructions

  • Heat the oil in a saute pan over medium heat with the whole clove of garlic skin on, just until the skin on the garlic starts to brown.
  • Meanwhile salt the shrimp with a half a teaspoon of salt. Once the whole garlic clove has started to brown, add the sliced garlic, and as soon as the sliced garlic just barely begins to brown, add the arbol chili, bay leaf, and the shrimp.
  • Toss everything together in the saute pan cooking the shrimp. When the shrimp is halfway cooked (still raw in the center), remove from the heat and add the sherry, mix well, and return to the stove over medium heat.
  • As soon as the shrimp is just cooked through, remove the shrimp from the pan with tongs and place on the serving dish. Return the sauce to the stove and reduce a little bit, tasting and adjusting the seasoning for salt.
  • Pour the hot sauce over the shrimp and serve immediately.

Video

Nutrition

Serving: 1serving | Calories: 165kcal | Carbohydrates: 2g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 60mg | Sodium: 188mg | Potassium: 19mg | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 65IU | Vitamin C: 1.9mg | Calcium: 35mg | Iron: 0.5mg
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Famous Corn Pudding Recipe (Corn Soufflé) – This flavorful and tender corn pudding recipe (AKA Corn Soufflé) is from one of Asheville’s most beloved restaurants! Easily make it at home and enjoy as the perfect side dish at barbecues and potlucks.

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