Spanish-style Garlic Shrimp With Ham & Bell Pepper

Total Time: 35 mins Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• 2 lbs large shrimp, shelled,leaving the tail and the first joint of the shell intact,and deveined (about 28)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 8 cloves garlic, sliced thin lengthwise
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1/4 lb thick-sliced cooked ham, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes
• 1 red bell pepper, chopped
• 1/3 cup sherry wine
• minced fresh fresh parsley leaves, if desired (to garnish)
• crusty bread, as an accompaniment

Recipe

• 1 rinse the shrimp and pat them dry.
• 2 sprinkle the shrimp on both sides with the salt and let them stand between layers of paper towel for 10 minutes.
• 3 in a large heavy skillet cook the garlic in the oil over moderate heat, stirring, until it is golden and transfer it with a slotted spoon to a small bowl.
• 4 add the ham and the red pepper flakes to the skillet and cook the mixture, stirring, for 3 to 5 minutes, or until the ham deepens in color.
• 5 add the bell pepper and cook the mixture, stirring, until the bell pepper is softened.
• 6 add the shrimp and sauté the mixture over moderately high heat, turning the shrimp, for 3 minutes.
• 7 add the sherry and the garlic and simmer the mixture, stirring and turning the shrimp occasionally, until the shrimp are just cooked through.
• 8 transfer the shrimp mixture to a heated serving dish, sprinkle it with the parsley, and serve it with the bread.