Garlic Shrimp with White Beans (Gambas al Ajillo)

Gambas al ajillo is one of the fastest tapas dishes to pull together, and one of the most satisfying — shrimp cooked quickly in a generous amount of olive oil with thinly sliced garlic and a pinch of chili flakes, the whole pan finished with a splash of sherry and a squeeze of lemon.

Traditionally it's served with just bread for mopping up the garlicky oil, but we spoon it over white beans instead, which turns a small-plate starter into a fuller, more substantial meal.

Shrimp cook in minutes and pack a large amount of protein for relatively few calories, which is part of why this dish works so well for anyone building meals around lean, high-protein options. Between the shrimp and the beans, this stays satisfying without leaning on any heavy sauce beyond the garlic-infused olive oil itself, and the whole thing is on the table in well under 30 minutes.