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Bacalao en Salsa Cremosa de Gambas y Piquillos

Name: Bacalao en Salsa Cremosa de Gambas y Piquillos
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 30 min
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 1 lb Bacalao, soaked and drained; 1 lb Gambas frescas, peeled and deveined; 1 cup Crema de leche; 1 cup Pimientos del piquillo, chopped; 2 cloves Ajo, minced; 1 Onion, chopped; 2 tbsp Aceite de oliva; Salt and pepper to taste; Perejil (optional), for garnish

So you’re craving something tasty but too lazy to spend forever in the kitchen, huh? Same. Let’s be real, we all love a good meal that doesn’t take all afternoon to whip up—especially when it can impress friends or just be a cozy night in. Say hello to bacalao en salsa cremosa de gambas y piquillos. It’s fancy enough to make you feel like a culinary genius, but easy enough that you won’t need a PhD in cooking to pull it off. Trust me, you can do this.

Why This Recipe is Awesome

What makes this dish awesome? Well first off, it’s idiot-proof, even I didn’t mess it up, so you’re in good hands here. You get the briny goodness of bacalao balanced with the comforting silkiness of cream, punctuated with juicy gambas and sweet roasted piquillos. Sounds pretty fancy, right? But here’s the kicker: you’ll only need a handful of ingredients, and they’re all super easy to find. Plus, did I mention it only takes about 30 minutes? No one has to know how simple it really is. Let’s dive into our ingredients.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Bacalao: The fish that dreams are made of. Well, not dreams but you know what I mean.
Gambas frescas: Fresh shrimp to make everything taste like a beach vacation.
Crema de leche: Because why not add a little creaminess to your life?
Pimientos del piquillo: Sweet red peppers that are basically nature’s candy.
Ajo: Can’t live without it. Seriously, garlic makes everything better.
Cebolla: The one vegetable that can make you tear up for all the right reasons.
Aceite de oliva: Liquid gold for all your cooking needs.
Sal y pimienta: The classic duo. Always have these on hand.
Perejil (opcional): For a fancy garnish, because who doesn’t want a little green on their plate?

Step-by-Step Instructions

Cocina las gambas en una sartén con un poco de aceite de oliva hasta que estén rosadas. Retira y reserva.
En la misma sartén, añade más aceite si es necesario y sofríe la cebolla y el ajo picados hasta que estén transparentes.
Añade el bacalao y cocina por unos minutos hasta que esté dorado.
Incorpora la crema de leche y los pimientos del piquillo troceados, mezcla bien.
Agrega las gambas que reservaste y cocina a fuego lento durante unos minutos.
Sazona con sal y pimienta al gusto.
Sirve caliente, decorado con perejil si deseas.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Alright, let’s chat about some rookie blunders that can mess with your bacalao vibes.

Thinking you don’t need to preheat the skillet: Rookie mistake, my friend. It’s like trying to jump into a cold pool—no one likes that.
Not draining the bacalao properly: This ain’t a fish soup, folks. Give that fish a gentle squeeze and remove any excess water.
Overcooking the shrimp: You want them juicy, not rubbery. Less is more, trust me.
Skipping the seasoning: Well, that just sounds plain sad. Salt and pepper are your best buds in the kitchen.

Alternatives & Substitutions

Hey, life happens. Maybe you don’t have all the ingredients, or perhaps you’re just feeling adventurous. Here are some easy swaps:

Bacalao: No bacalao? Try any white fish like cod or haddock. It’ll still taste epic.
Gambas: If shrimp isn’t your thing, how about scallops? Fancy and tasty.
Crema de leche: Got heavy cream? That’ll work just fine. If you want to keep it lighter, go for Greek yogurt with a splash of milk.
Pimientos del piquillo: Bell peppers or even jarred roasted red peppers are great substitutes if you’re in a pinch.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)

Can I use frozen gambas instead of fresh?
Absolutely! Just make sure to thaw them first—don’t want a seafood ice cube in your dish.

What if I burn the garlic?
Well, then you’ve turned your dish into a tragic hero story. Garlic burns quickly, so keep an eye on it. If it does burn, just start over. No one needs that bitterness.

Can I skip the cream?
Why would you want to do that? But hey, if you must, a splash of broth can work for a lighter sauce.

Is this dish suitable for meal prep?
Totally! Just store the components separately in the fridge and heat them up when it’s time to eat. But remember, shrimp is best fresh.

Can I make this dish spicy?
You bet! Toss in some red pepper flakes or diced jalapeños if you’re feeling a little spicy.

How do I know when the fish is done?
When it flakes easily with a fork and is opaque. If you can poke it with a fork and it starts to fall apart, you’re golden.

Final Thoughts

Now go impress someone—or yourself—with your new culinary skills. You’ve earned it! Your friends will think you’re a kitchen wizard, and you can smile knowingly, keeping your secret on how easy it really was. Whether it’s a cozy dinner for one or a fancy bash with friends, this bacalao en salsa cremosa de gambas y piquillos is ready to hit the table. So throw on your apron and get cooking. You got this!