Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp Appetizers

Shrimp appetizers are by far our most widely requested party appetizers. Earlier this month we gave you the Red Lobster Garlic Shrimp Scampi recipe and today we have another classic, Spanish-Style Garlic Shrimp. We are not sure where we found this great recipe for shrimp appetizers, but we have served it successfully for a number of dinner parties. Don't let the amount of garlic used in this recipe throw you off.

This shrimp appetizer is best served hot, so we suggest making it for a small intimate dinner party, not a large group.

Spanish Style Garlic Shrimp Appetizer

Ingredients
14 medium garlic cloves, peeled
1 lb large (31-40) shrimp, peeled, deveined and tails removed
8 tblsp olive oil
1/2 tsp table salt
1 bay leaf
1 (2-inch) piece of mild dried chile, such as New Mexico, roughly broken, seeds included OR
1/4 tsp sweet paprika
1 1/2 tsp sherry vinegar OR
2 tsp dry sherry and 1 tsp white vinegar
1 tblsp chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions:
1. Mince 2 cloves garlic. Toss minced garlic with shrimp, 2 tblsp olive oil and salt in medium bowl. Marinate shrimp at room temperature for 30 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, using flat side of chef's knife, smash 4 garlic cloves. Heat smashed garlic with remaining 6 tblsp olive oil in 12 inch skillet over medium-low heat, stirring occasionally until garlic is light golden brown, 4 to 7 minutes. Remove pan from heat and allow oil to cool to room temperature. Using slotted spoon, remove smashed garlic from skillet and discard. Chef's Tip: if you are short of time, you can purchase premade garlic olive oil from your local grocery store.
3. Thinly slice remaining 8 cloves garlic. Return skillet to low heat and add sliced garlic, bay leaf, and chile or paprika. Cook, stirring occasionally until garlic is tender but not browned, 4 to 7 minutes (if garlic has not begun to sizzle after 3 minutes, increase heat to medium-low). Increase heat to medium-low, add shrimp with marinade to pan in single layer. Cook shrimp, undisturbed, until oil starts to gently bubble, about 2 minutes. Using tongs, flip shrimp and continue to cook until almost cooked through, abut 2 minutes longer. ncrease heat to high and add sherry vinegar and parsley. Cook, stirring constantly until shrim0p are cooked through and oil is bubbling vigorously, 15 to 20 seconds. Serve immediately.
Reprinted

For more great shrimp appetizer recipes, visit www.appetizersunlimited.com