Spicy Squid 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:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Lightly grease one 7x11 inch baking dish. In a saucepan bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add rice and stir. Reduce heat, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Cut the head and tentacles from the body of the squid. Reserve and chop the tentacles. Remove the quill and peel the colored skin from the body. Rinse under cold water and set aside.
• In small bowl combine the rice, raisins and pine nuts.
• Saute 1 chopped onion and 3 cloves garlic with 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium skillet. Cook until soft. Add the chopped squid tentacles, and the rice mixture. Stir well and remove from the heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• In a large skillet saute the onion and 4 cloves garlic until soft. Stir in the red pepper flakes and oregano. Add the tomatoes with juice, anchovy paste and wine. Stir and cook over medium heat until slightly thickened. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Stuff the squid with the rice mixture and seal ends with wooden picks. Place squid in the prepared baking dish. Pour tomato sauce over all and bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 1 hour.

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:

• Working Ahead:
• The squid can be cleaned (if necessary) and cut in the morning, then covered and refrigerated. The fry mix can also be made early in the day.
• Cut squid bodies into 1/2″ rings and put in a colander set over a bowl; add whole tentacles. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use (up to 6 hours).
• Fry Mix:
• Combine cornstarch, flour, cornmeal, salt, and both peppers in a large bowl and whisk well. Refrigerate if not using within an hour or two to prevent humidity from changing the mixture.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Heat 3" of oil in a 4-quart Dutch oven over medium heat (or in a deep fryer) until it registers 360° on a deep-fry thermometer.
• While oil is heating, pour buttermilk into a large bowl and drop squid into it. Stir with a Chinese wire-mesh skimmer to coat, then lift about half of squid pieces from buttermilk, allowing excess buttermilk to drip back into bowl, and drop pieces into the dry mix. Rinse and dry the wire skimmer. Toss pieces to coat evenly with the mix, then lift them out with skimmer, gently shake off excess fry mix, and transfer to a plate. Bread remaining squid. Rinse and dry skimmer.
• Heat a 10″-12″sauté pan over medium heat and add butter. Once it melts, add garlic and sauté until golden. Add drained cherry peppers and toss to combine. Turn heat down to low while you fry squid.
• When the oil is hot, carefully drop half the squid pieces into oil. If any of the pieces stick to the bottom of the pot, loosen with tongs. Turn squid occasionally to cook evenly; it will only take about 1 1/2 minutes until they are crisp and golden.
• Fry remaining squid and drain.
• Add all of fried squid to the hot pan with the garlic and sliced peppers, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and quickly and gently toss (only twice). Divide among 4 small plates and serve immediately.

Steps:

• Clean and grade squid in a diagonal pattern then slice in pieces.
• Prepare all ingredients and put aside.
• Heat wok to high heat with oil.
• Stir in the garlic and the squid.
• Stir-fry for one minute, then add all the other ingredients.
• Stir until well mixed.
• Serve with cooked white rice.

Steps:

• Rinse squid well in cold water, then drain well and pat dry with kitchen towels.
• Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a wok or cast-iron pan. Adjust heat to maintain 375 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, stir together cornstarch, cayenne, salt, black pepper and five-spice powder. Set bowl near stove.
• Dip squid pieces into cornstarch mixture, one by one, and immediately slip carefully into hot oil. Let fry, making sure not to crowd the pan. (Use 2 pans or work in batches if necessary.) Turn pieces with tongs to ensure even cooking. When squid is lightly browned, after about 2 minutes, remove pieces and blot on paper towels.
• Transfer squid to a serving bowl and sprinkle with chiles. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

Steps:

• Rinse the squid under cool running water. Drain and transfer to a paper towel to dry completely. Cut the bodies into 1/2-inch rings and leave the tentacles whole. Pat dry again with paper towels.
• Place a large skillet over high heat. Let the pan get very hot, for a good 5 minutes. Move the squid from the paper towels to a bowl, so that they don't stick before you add them to the pan. Add half the oil to the skillet. Sprinkle half the squid with salt, slide them into the pan along with half the chiles and cook without moving for 1 minute. Flip squid and stir in half the garlic; cook 1 to 2 minutes more, until squid is tender. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining squid, garlic, chiles and oil. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan; if your skillet doesn't fit the squid comfortably, cook them in smaller batches.
• Squeeze lime all over the squid and sprinkle with mint.
• Top the crusty bread with sliced avocado if you like, and season avocado with salt and lime juice. Serve with the squid.