Shrimp Gambas

Shrimp Gambas is a popular shrimp dish in the Philippines.  It is present in menus of restaurants and bars to cater to the palate of Filipinos which is leaning towards the spicy side.  It is treated both as an appetizer or even as a pulutan in drinking sessions or as a main dish.  It is especially loved since it is easy to prepare and the main ingredient is readily available in the archipelago.  You can serve it hot and sizzling or simply in a serving plate.

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 kilo shrimps, medium or large, peeled and deveined

1/4 cup calamansi juice

5 cloves garlic, minced

2-3 pieces green chili (siling haba), sliced diagonally

2 pieces red bell pepper, chopped

2 pieces green bell pepper, chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 tablespoons cooking wine

1/4 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons chili sauce (optional in this recipe)

cooking oil

salt and pepper to taste

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Marinate the shrimps with the calamansi juice and place in the refrigerator for 30 minutes.
2. Heat oil in pan.  Saute the garlic until light brown then add the onions until translucent.  Add the bell peppers.
3. Add the shrimps and cook for 2 minutes.
4. Add the cooking wine and let the alcohol evaporate. This takes around 1 minute.
5. Put in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for around 5 minutes. Adjust the taste with salt and pepper.
6. Add the green chilies and simmer for 1 minute.  At this time, you may put in the chili sauce for added sting and spice and continue cooking for 30 seconds.
7. Transfer to a sizzling plate or a serving dish.
8. Serve hot and with love.  Enjoy!

⚠️SUGGESTIONS:
Chili sauce can be added to the recipe although this recipe calls for it as optional since the chilies are added to the cooking process instead of just using these in the presentation on the sizzling plate.  If you want a more fiery effect then I strongly suggest cooking the chilies with the garlic, onions and bell peppers at the beginning of the process, otherwise just put it last, as in this recipe.
❤This is great as a pulutan during cookouts or at drinking sessions with family and friends.