Italian Spicy Shrimp Pasta
Garlic Infused Olive Oil

An upgraded classic Italian aglio e olio featuring a rich emulsified chili-garlic olive oil sauce, perfectly seared caramelized shrimp, and al dente spaghetti.

Ingredients

• 1 cm layer extra virgin olive oil
• 1 head whole peeled garlic cloves
• 1 large spoonful red chili sauce
• 200 g spaghetti pasta
• 2-3 large spoons salt for boiling water
• 300 g raw peeled shrimp
• to taste fresh parsley
• to taste black pepper

Instructions

1. 1Add olive oil to the pan

   

   Start by pouring a generous layer of extra virgin olive oil into a cold frying pan, aiming for a depth of about one centimeter. This will serve as a rich and flavorful base for infusing the garlic.

   Tip: Starting with a cold pan gives you more control and prevents the oil from smoking right away.
2. 2Add Garlic to Olive Oil

   

   Place whole peeled garlic cloves into a pan containing a thick layer of extra virgin olive oil. Turn the heat to medium-low to begin slowly frying the garlic.

   Tip: Keep the heat at medium-low to prevent burning the garlic before the oil infuses.
3. 3Chop the parsley

   

   While the garlic is slowly infusing the oil, take some fresh parsley and chop it finely on a cutting board using a chefs knife. Set it aside to be used as a vibrant, fresh garnish later.

   Tip: Make sure your parsley is completely dry before chopping to prevent it from clumping together.
4. 4Fry Garlic Golden Brown

   

   Tilt the pan slightly so the olive oil pools on one side. Fry the garlic cloves evenly, turning them occasionally until they turn a rich golden brown on all sides.

   Tip: Occasional stirring and tilting ensures even coloring and prevents bitter burnt spots.
5. 5Transfer Garlic and Oil to Blender

   

   Pour the freshly fried garlic along with the hot, aromatic olive oil into a small blender jar to prepare for emulsification.

   Tip: Exercise caution when transferring hot oil into a blender container.
6. 6Add Chili Sauce

   

   Add a spoonful of your favorite red chili sauce directly into the blender container alongside the fried garlic and olive oil mixture.

   Tip: Adjust the amount of chili sauce depending on your desired level of heat.
7. 7Blend and Emulsify

   

   Blend the mixture thoroughly. For the best texture, blend until it emulsifies into a smooth, cohesive sauce.

   Tip: A powerful blender works best to achieve a proper emulsion.
8. 8Boil the Spaghetti

   

   Prepare a pot of boiling water seasoned generously with salt, then add dry spaghetti. Cook for the initial portion of the required cooking time to reach the desired al dente texture.

   Tip: Generously salt the boiling water as it flavors the pasta from within.
9. 9Pour olive oil into the pan

   

   Pour a relatively thick layer of extra virgin olive oil, about one centimeter deep, into a fresh, wide black frying pan.

   Tip: Make sure to add enough olive oil to create a solid base for infusing the flavors.
10. 10Pan-fry the shrimp

    

    Place the raw, peeled shrimp into the heated olive oil in the pan. Sauté them until they take on some color and develop a slight caramelization on the surface.

    Tip: Toss the pan occasionally so the oil evenly coats the shrimp for uniform cooking.
11. 11Sear the shrimp

    

    Pan-fry the shrimp until they take on some color, ideally achieving a little caramelization on the surface. Toss the pan so the oil evenly coats the shrimp.

    Tip: Slight caramelization adds great depth of flavor to the seafood.
12. 12Add starchy pasta water

    

    Use a ladle to scoop starchy, salty pasta water from the boiling pot and pour it into the pan with the shrimp.

    Tip: The starchy water helps create a smooth, emulsified sauce later.
13. 13Pour in the chili-garlic sauce

    

    Pour the previously blended chili-garlic sauce back into the pan containing the shrimp and liquid mixture.

    Tip: Scrape out any remaining sauce from the blender to make sure you use every bit.
14. 14Combine spaghetti with the sauce

    

    Transfer the spaghetti that has been boiling for 6 minutes directly into the pan with the shrimp and sauce, continuing to cook and stir for the remaining 3 minutes.

    Tip: Continuous stirring helps the pasta absorb the rich flavors of the sauce.
15. 15Combine and simmer pasta with sauce

    

    Add the partially cooked pasta, the blended chili-garlic sauce, and a spoonful of starchy pasta water to the pan with the shrimp. Continuously stir and toss everything together for the remaining cooking time.

    Tip: Add the starchy pasta water gradually to adjust the sauce consistency and saltiness.
16. 16Add parsley and season

    

    Sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the tossed pasta and shrimp in the pan. Season with additional salt and black pepper just before finishing.

    Tip: Add black pepper generously to enhance the flavor profile of the dish.

Storage & Reheating

Burn It Off

Frequently Asked Questions