Chilli Salt And Pepper Squid With Fresh Lime Recipes

SALT AND PEPPER SQUID

Steps:

• First prepare your squid. Rinse it well in cold water. Cut the tentacles off using one cut, keeping about a 1/4 inch of the hood in order to end up with one piece of calamari that includes all the tentacles. If you're using larger squid, you can cut these pieces lengthwise in half in order to make them bite-sized. Having each piece be roughly the same size is important for achieving the same cooking time for each piece of calamari. Drain the squid pieces in a colander and transfer to a bowl.
• Marinate the squid in the shaoxing wine and sesame oil. Toss gently and set aside.
• In a medium deep pot, add enough oil so that the level of oil reaches 4 inches up the side of the pot. Heat the oil until the temperature reaches 325 degrees.
• While you're waiting for the oil to heat, prepare your dry mixture. Combine the all-purpose flour, semolina flour, cornmeal, salt, and white pepper in a medium bowl. Set aside.
• When the oil reaches temperature, you're ready to start dredging your squid. Work in batches of small fistfuls of calamari. Gently squeeze off any liquid and dredge the squid in the dry mixture.
• Using a long-handled sieve or slotted spoon, lower the calamari into the hot oil. Gently move the calamari pieces back and forth. Let them fry until golden brown, about 2-2 1/2 minutes. Remove all the calamari and let drain on a paper-towel-lined plate. Taste one piece of calamari for saltiness (be careful, it's hot). You can sprinkle more salt immediately after frying to your taste. A necessary step, however, is to crack some fresh white pepper over the freshly fried squid. Continue frying in these small batches and seasoning with white pepper until you've fried all the squid.
• Now the next phase: stir-frying the fried squid. Heat a wok over medium-high heat. Add a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Add the ginger and let it fry in the oil. After about 20 seconds, add the garlic. Stir the garlic around the wok quickly in order to prevent burning. When the garlic gets lightly golden in color, add the peppers. Continue to stir fry for another 30 seconds.
• Add the squid to the wok and stir fry quickly in the aromatic mixture for about a minute or so. Plate and serve immediately with white rice! And don't leave those crispy pieces of garlic and pepper behind!

CHILLI, SALT AND PEPPER SQUID

Steps:

• Rinse and dry the squid thoroughly.
• Slice each squid tube horizontally into 1/2in rings. Set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine both types of flour with the chili powder, sea salt and Szechuan pepper. Add the squid and toss to coat, shaking off any excess flour.
• Fill a wok with oil to about a third full (about 2 cups) and heat until the surface seems to shimmer slightly.
• Add half the squid and deep-fry it for between 45 seconds and 1 minute, or until it's just tender and beginning to colour. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain well on kitchen paper. Repeat the process with the remaining squid.
• Arrange the lettuce leaves on a platter and top with the squid. Serve with the lemon wedges.

CHILLI & LIME SQUID SALAD

Steps:

• Mix two-thirds of the chillies and the garlic-infused oil in a large bowl and add the squid. Cover with cling film and leave them to marinate for at least 1 hr or overnight in the fridge.
• Just before serving, heat the barbecue or a griddle pan. Combine the avocado slices with the rocket. Divide between 6 small plates or bowls.
• When the barbecue is hot or your griddle pan almost smoking, add the limes, cut-side down. Tip on the squid, pressing lightly with the back of a fish slice to create charred lines. When the squid feels slightly firm, about 1 min 30 secs into cooking, turn over and press down with the fish slice again, cooking for another 1 min 30 secs or until the squid feels firm. Remove and place on a board.
• Slice the squid into 1-2cm rings and top each salad with a few rings and some crispy onions. Serve half a charred lime on the side for squeezing over, with the remaining chilli scattered over and a drizzle of garlic oil.

SALT & PEPPER SQUID WITH ROAST CHILLI DRESSING

Steps:

• Cut the squid into large pieces, then score a criss-cross diamond pattern into the flesh, without cutting all the way through. To make the chilli dressing, pound the roasted dried chilli in a mortar and pestle (or food processor), then add the palm sugar. Pound again, adding the lime juice and the fish sauce. Mix well and place to one side. Heat oven to 180C/fan 160C/gas 4 and slide a baking sheet in.
• Pound the peppercorns and sea salt together, then stir into the flour in a large bowl and set to one side. Heat a few cms oil in a wok or deep frying pan.
• Place the wok over a high heat; when the oil starts to shimmer, it is ready. Toss the squid in the seasoned flour so that it is coated well.
• Drop a quarter of the squid into the oil and fry for about 1 min. The squid should curl and go crisp. Lift out of the oil with a slotted spoon and keep warm in the oven on the baking sheet while you cook the rest. Serve straight away, with the dressing on the side.