Al ajillo facts for kids
Al ajillo is a special way of cooking or flavoring food. It is very popular in countries where people speak Spanish. The main ingredients are usually garlic and sometimes chili peppers. This cooking style adds a lot of flavor to dishes like shrimp or fish.
Al Ajillo: A Flavorful Garlic Dish
Al ajillo is a common cooking style or sauce. It is used in many Spanish-speaking countries around the world. In Mexico, it often mixes guajillo chili peppers with lots of ajo, which means garlic. This mix gives food a delicious, slightly spicy, and garlicky taste.
Other countries in Latin America use similar ideas. They might use different types of chili peppers. For example, in Peru, they use aji panca or aji mirasol. These are dried forms of the aji amarillo chili.
The idea for al ajillo likely came from Spain. It probably started with a Spanish dish called gambas al ajillo. This dish features prawns cooked in oil with garlic and a type of hot paprika. Over time, this cooking method spread and changed in different places.
Shrimp Al Ajillo
Shrimp al ajillo is a very popular dish. It is made by cooking shrimp in a pan. First, slices of garlic and guajillo chili are fried in butter or vegetable oil. Then, the shrimp are added to the pan.
The dish is seasoned with salt, black pepper, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Fresh parsley or coriander is often sprinkled on top. This makes a tasty and quick meal.
Fish Al Ajillo
Fish al ajillo is another delicious dish. It is prepared in a similar way to shrimp al ajillo. Pieces of fish are fried in a pan. Before the fish, slices of garlic and guajillo chili are cooked in butter or vegetable oil.
Just like with shrimp, the fish is seasoned. Salt, black pepper, and lemon juice are used to add flavor. Fresh parsley or coriander can be added for a fresh touch. It is a simple way to make fish very flavorful.
See also
In Spanish: Ajillo para niños