Three tapas dishes this month, in the hope of some Mediterranean weather!
Garlic Prawns (Gambas al Ajillo) – serves 4
- 200 grams raw prawns (or more)
- 1 eggcup olive oil
- 2-3 cloves garlic, very thinly sliced
- Half teaspoon chilli flakes
- Juice of half a lemon.
- 3 tablespoons chopped flatleaf parsley
- Salt and sugar to taste.
- Large pinch of saffron (optional), soaked in a little hot water
Method:
Gently poach the garlic in the oil for 5 minutes until softened but not browned. Add chilli flakes.
Add prawns and gently fry until cooked and released their juices .
Remove prawns from the oil mixture and cover.
To the pan add lemon juice plus saffron with its water (if using). Increase the heat and whisk to emulsify.
Allow sauce to reduce and add parsley.
Check for seasoning and add salt and sugar to taste.
Add prawns back to the pan and heat through.
Allow to rest and serve at room temperature. Serve with crusty bread for dipping.
Tortilla española – serves 6-8
The traditional tortilla has only five ingredients. You can add cooked chorizo, peppers, prawns, slices of ham in the middle, etc.. I have seen Spanish cooks quite successfully use leftover chips/fries and even crisps instead of sliced potatoes! Tips for best flavour – 1) season the potato, onion and egg separately, and 2) cook the onion until caramelised. Leftovers are great for breakfast, or in a crusty baguette with mayo and roasted, sliced red peppers (from a jar). Amounts are for a frying pan 8 or 9 ins.
- 1 medium onion, chopped.
- 8 large eggs
- Salt
- Olive oil (approx.150ml)
- 2 large (waxy, not floury) potatoes, peeled, halved, thinly sliced, rinsed and dried
Method:
Gently fry onion in 2 tbsp olive oil until soft and caramelised. Tip into a bowl, season with salt and wipe pan.
Over a medium heat, warm another 4 tbsp oil and add potatoes, turning to coat in the oil.
Cover and cook gently until cooked but holding their shape. Season, then tip into the bowl of onions and gently fold to mix.
Clean pan and add 3-4 tbsp oil to warm.
In a large bowl, beat eggs and season. Add potato/onion mixture to the egg (and anything else you fancy).
Tip into pan, ensuring that the mixture is evenly spread. Scrape bottom of pan, like when making scrambled eggs, then cover and leave for around 3 minutes on a medium heat.
Tease the edges away from the sides and with a spatula ensure that the tortilla isn’t sticking.
After 10 minutes, remove from heat and let sit for a couple more minutes. Place a plate upside down over the pan and using a tea towel, turn over the pan and plate, so the tortilla is cooked side up on the plate.
Wipe out pan, swirl round a little oil and slide in tortilla to cook on underside for approx. 5 minutes. Serve warm or cold.
Chorizo in red wine (Chorizo con Vino Tinto) – serves 4
- 1-2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 small onion or 3 shallots, finely chopped.
- 1 horseshoe chorizo, skinned and sliced into roughly 5mm coins
- 1 scant teaspoon dried thyme or 1 tablespoon fresh
- 2 level teaspoons sweet smoked paprika (pimentón dulce)
- 250ml red wine (you may need a splash more)
- Salt and sugar to season
- Chopped parsley to garnish
Method:
Gently fry the onion/shallots in the oil until softened but not browned.
Add the thyme and cook for a further 2 minutes. Remove onto a plate.
Add chorizo pieces to pan (no more oil needed) and gently fry until they release their oils and are slightly browned and cooked through.
Add the smoked paprika and cook for a further minute. Add the onion back to the pan, along with the wine.
Bring to a simmer – add more wine if you think you need more liquid and simmer again.
Season with salt and sugar to taste.
Sprinkle with chopped parsley. Best served slightly warm.
Many thanks to Ann Shaw 
Bon Appetit!
Ann’s previous recipes:
- April ’24 – Slow cooked Chinese Beef with Ginger / Saucy St. Clements Pudding
- Mar ’24 – Macaroni Cheese with Leeks and Mushrooms / Welsh Cakes
- Feb ’24 – Quick Fish Chowder / Raspberry Cheesecake Hearts
- Jan ’24 – Scouse (or Lobscouse) / Ginger Cake
- Dec ’23 – Salmon in Filo / Easy Chocolate Mousse
- Nov ’23 – Squash & Sausage Pasta / Pear & Apple Sponge
To revisit the Bishops’ Kitchen recipes provided by Richard Childs
Please click HERE
