Chewy and Delicious Stir-Fried Squid Recipe
Altoran’s Stir-Fried Squid: A Rice-Stealing Side Dish, Enhanced with Plum Extract and Aromatic Water Parsley!
This stir-fried squid dish features the delightful chewy texture of squid, the crisp bite of pickled plums, and the fragrant aroma of water parsley, all tossed in a soy-based sauce for a wonderfully moist yet flavorful result. It’s perfect as a side dish for rice and even makes a great appetizer! Enjoy the deep flavor enhanced by plum extract.
Main Ingredients- 2 squid (using pre-prepped squid will save time)
- 30g scallions (about 5-7 stalks)
- 80g water parsley (for a fragrant touch)
- 1/2 onion (thinly julienned)
- 1 green chili pepper (optional, for spice)
- 1 red chili pepper (for color)
- 30g pickled plums (for a crunchy, sweet-and-sour element)
For Blanching Squid- 1.5L water
- 1.5 Tbsp salt (adds flavor and helps firm up the squid)
Flavorful Seasoning Sauce- 25ml soy sauce (approx. 2 Tbsp)
- 1 tsp plum extract (for sweetness and umami)
- 2 Tbsp sugar (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
- 2 tsp sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
- 2 tsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for color and mild heat)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (essential for that garlic kick!)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
- 1.5L water
- 1.5 Tbsp salt (adds flavor and helps firm up the squid)
Flavorful Seasoning Sauce- 25ml soy sauce (approx. 2 Tbsp)
- 1 tsp plum extract (for sweetness and umami)
- 2 Tbsp sugar (adjust to your preferred sweetness)
- 2 tsp sesame oil (for a nutty aroma)
- 2 tsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for color and mild heat)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (essential for that garlic kick!)
- 1 tsp sesame seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by preparing the squid. Separate the body from the tentacles and carefully remove the innards from the body. You can easily peel off the skin by rubbing it with kitchen towel or a bit of flour. Rinse the cleaned squid thoroughly. Bring 1.5L of water to a boil with 1.5 Tbsp of salt, and quickly blanch the squid for 20-30 seconds. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become tough! Rinse the blanched squid under cold water and let it cool slightly; this will give it a chewier texture. Tip: Adding salt during blanching lightly seasons the squid and helps it become firmer. For the tentacles, cut open the inside to remove the eyes and beak. (Using pre-cleaned frozen squid makes this process much simpler!)
Step 2
Once slightly cooled, cut the squid into bite-sized pieces. Tip: Cutting the squid with a knife is recommended as it produces less liquid from the cut surface, helping to maintain the moisture of the ingredients. Using scissors can release more water, so a knife is preferable.
Step 3
Trim the water parsley, removing any wilted leaves or imperfections. Snip off the tough ends and cut the parsley into pieces similar in size to the squid.
Step 4
Cut the scallions into lengths similar to the water parsley. They should be easy to eat.
Step 5
Peel the onion and julienne it thinly. This will add a crisp texture and sweetness to the dish.
Step 6
Remove the seeds from the green and red chili peppers, then slice them thinly on an angle. The green chili will provide spiciness, while the red chili adds a vibrant color.
Step 7
Now it’s time to make the delicious seasoning sauce and marinate the squid. In a bowl with the sliced squid, add the gochugaru (2 tsp), sugar (2 Tbsp), soy sauce (2 Tbsp), minced garlic (1 Tbsp), plum extract (1 tsp), and sesame oil (2 tsp). Gently mix everything together with your hands until the squid is evenly coated with the seasoning. It’s important to ensure the seasoning is well distributed.
Step 8
Add the prepared vegetables (water parsley, scallions, onion, chili peppers) and the sliced pickled plums to the marinated squid. Gently toss everything together. Be careful not to mix too vigorously, as this could mash the vegetables.
Step 9
Finally, arrange the beautifully mixed squid salad onto a serving plate. Garnish with a few water parsley leaves and some of the diagonally sliced red chili peppers for a pop of color. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for the perfect finishing touch. Your chewy and flavorful stir-fried squid is ready! It’s so good, you’ll finish a whole bowl of rice with it!
