Grilled Squid With Fried Capers And Skordalia Sauce Recipes

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, cover potatoes with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, and add salt. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the potatoes are just tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. Drain in a colander, and let the potatoes cool completely. Slice into 1-inch pieces; set aside.
• In a small saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add capers; cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Heat grill to medium. Cut squid bodies open to make flat pieces. Holding a sharp knife at a 30-degree angle, score the inner side of each squid in a crosshatch pattern, being careful not to cut all the way through. Toss the squid bodies and tentacles with 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill squid, turning once, until just cooked through and nicely charred (squid will curl up as it cooks), 2 to 3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook because squid will toughen. Cut into 2-inch pieces.
• In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice and remaining 6 tablespoons oil. In a medium bowl, combine reserved potatoes, fennel, and parsley. Coat with half the lemon mixture, and season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, toss squid with remaining lemon mixture; season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, place about 2 tablespoons skordalia sauce on each plate. Top with a mound of potato salad. Place squid on top, and garnish with the capers.

Steps:

• For the filling: Saute leeks in olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-low heat until softened, 7 to 10 minutes. Add shallot and garlic and saute 3 minutes. Add wine, parsley, vinegar, tarragon, salt, chile flakes and lemon juice and turn heat to high. Cook until reduced 85 percent, 3 to 5 minutes
• Turn heat to medium and add butter. Let melt, then add prawns. Cook, stirring, until just done, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in breadcrumbs to absorb any remaining liquids and remove from heat.
• Transfer to a bowl and chill completely before stuffing calamari.
• For the calamari: Insert a funnel into the open end of a calamari.
• Fill the funnel about halfway with the filling and push it into the calamari, filling it only three-quarters of the way full, to allow for shrinkage as it cooks. Use a toothpick to skewer the tentacles to the opening of the calamari. Repeat with remaining filling and calamari.
• Preheat a grill or saute pan over medium-high heat. Cook the calamari, 2 minutes per side.
• Arrange grilled calamari on a serving dish and serve with warm Roasted Yellow Bell Sauce and sprinkled with Fried Capers.
• Roast pepper on open flame of stovetop burner, turning as outside blackens, until roasted on all sides. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let cool for 5 minutes. Remove outer burnt skin of pepper, cut into quarters and remove stem and seeds.
• Place pepper in a small food processor.
• Steep garlic in hot cream for 2 minutes, then add to processor. Add butter, parsley, shallot, vinegar, salt and lemon juice and process to make a smooth puree.
• Rinse capers with water, then squeeze with hands to express any juices. Drain very well.
• Heat oil to 350 degrees F in a small saucepan over medium heat. Carefully add capers to hot oil and fry until darkened in color and capers have become crispy, approximately 7 minutes. Drain on paper towels.

Steps:

• Make the filling: Blanch the chard in boiling water for 1 minute, then drain and cool under running water. Squeeze chard completely dry and finely chop. Set aside.
• Put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet or wide saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and fennel, season with salt and pepper, and cook until softened and lightly colored, about 10 minutes.
• Add fennel fronds, fennel seed, anchovy, garlic, oregano and red pepper. Cook, stirring, for about 2 minutes more.
• Turn off heat and transfer mixture to a mixing bowl. Add pine nuts, lemon zest, bread crumbs, cheese and reserved cooked chard. Mix well with a wooden spoon. Taste and correct seasoning.
• Heat oven to 375 degrees. Using a teaspoon, put some filling in each squid body, taking care not to overstuff. Place stuffed squid in an earthenware baking dish in one layer. Season squid on both sides with salt and pepper and drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season tentacles with salt and pepper and arrange them around the edge of dish (alternatively, arrange tentacles in a separate baking dish). Drizzle tentacles lightly with oil. Spoon any remaining stuffing over tentacles.
• Roast uncovered for 15 to 20 minutes, until squid bodies are puffed, sizzling and lightly browned. If desired, run pan under the broiler for more color. Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges. (May also be served at room temperature.) Serve each person 3 or 4 squid, with tentacles.