Southeast Asian Squid Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Rinse squid under cool running water. Drain and transfer them to a paper towel to dry completely. Cut bodies into 1/2-inch rings and halve tentacles.
• Place a large skillet over high heat. Let pan get very hot, heating it for a good 5 minutes. Move half the squid from the paper towels to a bowl, so they don't stick when you slide them into the pan. Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet. Season squid with salt, slide them into the pan, and cook without moving for 1 minute. Flip squid and cook 30 seconds more. Repeat with remaining squid and oil. Don't overcrowd the pan; if your skillet doesn't fit the squid comfortably, cook them in smaller batches.
• In a medium bowl, combine cooked squid with lime juice and zest, fish sauce, shallot, jalapeño and cilantro. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour (or refrigerate for up to 6 hours, then bring to room temperature before serving). Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve mounded onto cucumber rounds or scooped into shot glasses (and served with a fork), with peanuts sprinkled on top.

Steps:

• Wash, pat dry and cut salad leaves into bite-size pieces, then arrange the salad leaves into serving dish. Set aside.
• For the squid/octopus cut the body and legs into 1.5 cm thick then season with salt and pepper.
• Heat the olive oil in a frying pan, add the garlic and fry until you can smell its aroma.
• Add the squid/octopus into the pan with the garlic and cook until done. Squid/octopus' colour will change and it will no longer be transparent, Please NOTE do not overcook as it will becomes tough.
• Remove from heat and place on top of the prepared salad leaves in serving dish.
• Return frying pan to the heat, add the soy sauce, ginger, sugar and mix well with any remaining cooking juices from the squid/octopus, making sure that all the sugar dissolves.
• Pour dressing on top of squid/octopus then sprinkle some chilli powder or shichimi togarashi.
• If there is a lot of dressing you could serve it separately and dinners could help themselves if they wish for more dressing.
• Enjoy.

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to high.
• Score the squid on a chopping board. Place in a bowl with the roasted chili paste and oil. Mix well. Place on a griddle or barbecue and grill for a few minutes each side until the squid is golden brown. Be careful not to overcook or the squid will be chewy.
• In the meantime, pound the ginger and garlic together in a pestle and mortar. Add the honey, lime, and fish sauce and mix well. Whisk in the sunflower and sesame oil.
• Chop the cucumber, pepper, spring onions and chili peppers and place in a bowl with mixed salad leaves, mint and coriander.
• Finely slice the grilled squid and add to the salad bowl. Pour over the dressing and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

Steps:

• For the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the chili oil, vegetable oil and lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
• For the salad: In a medium bowl, combine the greens, carrots and scallions, but do not add the dressing yet. Cover with a damp paper towel and set in the fridge until ready to serve.
• For the squid: Fill a wok or deep fryer halfway with vegetable oil and heat to 350 degrees F, or until a tiny piece of bread browns in 15 seconds. If frying in a wok, make sure that the wok is stable on a burner or wok ring.
• Whisk together the eggs and potato starch, and then coat each squid ring well with the batter. Carefully add the squid rings to the hot oil and fry, in batches, until a light golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season with salt, pepper and chili flakes.
• When ready to serve, toss the salad with a couple tablespoons of the dressing and top with the hot crispy squid. Garnish with sthe liced scallion greens and serve.
• Cook's Notes: You can use frozen squid rings, but fresh are best.
• This dish makes a great appetizer or a shared main course.

Steps:

• Whisk lime juice, garlic, fish sauce, brown sugar, 1/4 cup oil, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Add cucumber, chiles, and peanuts and toss to coat. Set aside.
• Make sure squid is as dry as possible, then toss with remaining 1 1/2 tsp. salt. Separate bodies from tentacles.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large cast-iron skillet until smoking. Sear half of the tentacles (don't try to do more than half-you don't want to crowd the pan), turning once halfway through, until lightly charred and opaque, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining tentacles, adding more oil if needed. Add a little more oil, then sear half of the bodies, turning once and picking up with tongs so that any liquid that has accumulated inside bodies can pour off into skillet and evaporate, until lightly charred and opaque, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to plate with cooked tentacles. Repeat with remaining bodies. Thinly slice bodies, then transfer squid to bowl with cucumber mixture and toss to coat.
• Arrange salad on a platter and drizzle remaining dressing over. Top with cilantro sprigs. Serve with rice alongside, if using.