Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Squid with a Smoky Flavor
Smoky Stir-fried Squid
For dinner tonight, we enjoyed a delicious home-cooked meal of spicy and sweet stir-fried squid with a prominent smoky flavor. This recipe makes so much delicious sauce that you can even mix leftover sauce with rice for an incredibly tasty meal, finishing off a whole bowl of rice in no time!
Main Ingredients
- 2 Squids
- 1 Onion
- 3 Korean Green Chilies (Cheongyang Peppers)
- 2 Scallions
- 1 Tbsp Coarse Sea Salt
- 3 Tbsp All-purpose Flour
- 1 Tbsp Fish Sauce
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 2 Tbsp Chili Oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
- Sesame Seeds (to taste)
Sauce Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 6 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Corn Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tsp Ginger Powder
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- 6 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean Chili Flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean Chili Paste)
- 2 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Corn Syrup
- 1 Tbsp Sugar
- 2 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 1 Tsp Ginger Powder
- 2 Tbsp Mirin (Rice Wine)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
To properly prepare the squid, first coat the cleaned squid with 1 tablespoon of coarse sea salt and 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour. Gently massage the squid with both hands. This process helps to remove any unseen impurities and eliminates any unpleasant odors from the tentacles and body.
Step 2
After thoroughly rinsing and cutting the squid into bite-sized pieces, it’s time to marinate it. Add 1 tablespoon of fish sauce and 1 tablespoon of plum extract, and mix well. Let it marinate for about 10 minutes. This step allows the squid to absorb a subtle savory flavor, enhancing its taste when combined with the sauce.
Step 3
Now, let’s make the sauce that’s key to the deliciousness of the stir-fried squid! Making a generous batch of sauce beforehand means you can easily whip up this dish anytime, making it very practical. Mix all the sauce ingredients in the correct proportions.
Step 4
Here’s a secret to infusing the sauce with a smoky flavor! Pour the prepared sauce into a pot and gently simmer it over low heat. This not only deepens the sauce’s flavor but also adds a sophisticated smoky aroma and a more appealing color.
Step 5
It’s time to start the stir-frying. Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil and 2 tablespoons of chili oil in a pan. Using chili oil in addition to regular cooking oil will add a richer spicy aroma and a vibrant color.
Step 6
Prepare the vegetables. Cut 2 scallions into large pieces to release their fragrance, slice 1 onion in half and then into thick wedges for sweetness, and thinly slice 3 Korean green chilies diagonally for a beautiful appearance and adjustable spiciness. Add the prepared vegetables to the pan and stir-fry only until they are slightly softened, about halfway cooked. This preserves their crisp texture.
Step 7
Now, add the marinated squid to the pan. It’s crucial to stir-fry the squid just until it’s cooked through, as overcooking will make it tough. Stir-frying quickly over high heat is key to maintaining the squid’s tender texture.
Step 8
Combine the squid and vegetables with the moisture released from them, and quickly stir in the simmered sauce. Stir-fry rapidly to ensure the sauce evenly coats all the ingredients. This quick stir-frying method results in moist, flavorful stir-fried squid.
Step 9
Behold, the perfectly cooked stir-fried squid is ready! It’s glossy, not watery, and looks incredibly appetizing, promising a delicious meal.
Step 10
Finally, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty aroma and sprinkle generously with sesame seeds to finish. This dish is also fantastic served over hot rice and mixed in!
