Spicy & Sweet Stir-fried Squid with Scallions: A Deliciously Simple Dish!
The Perfect Harmony of Fragrant Scallions and Chewy Squid: Spicy & Sweet Stir-fry
This is a simple yet elegant dish made by stir-frying fresh squid with crisp scallions. The spicy and sweet sauce elevates the squid’s natural flavor, making it a perfect side dish for rice or a delightful appetizer with drinks. You can enjoy a rich taste with just a few ingredients.
Main Ingredients- 1 Squid (body, about 200-250g)
- 10 stalks fresh Scallions (about 100g)
- 1/4 medium Onion
- 2 Green Peppers (use Cheongyang peppers for extra spice)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil (e.g., canola, grapeseed)
Spicy & Sweet Sauce- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or brewed soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin or Rice Wine (removes odor, adds flavor)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to spice preference)
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (for sweetness and depth)
- 1 tsp Fish Sauce (anchovy or sand lance, for umami boost)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (for nutty aroma)
- Pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
- 1 Tbsp Soy Sauce (or brewed soy sauce)
- 1 Tbsp Mirin or Rice Wine (removes odor, adds flavor)
- 1.5 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, adjust to spice preference)
- 1 Tbsp Plum Extract (for sweetness and depth)
- 1 tsp Fish Sauce (anchovy or sand lance, for umami boost)
- 1 Tbsp Sesame Oil (for nutty aroma)
- Pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Rinse the fresh squid thoroughly under cold running water. Carefully remove the innards without cutting through the body, and peel off the outer skin. Slice the prepared squid into strips about 0.5 cm thick. Be careful not to slice them too thinly, or they might break apart during cooking.
Step 2
Trim the root ends of the scallions, wash them clean, and cut them into roughly 5-6 cm lengths. Keeping them slightly larger will help maintain their crisp texture.
Step 3
Peel and wash the onion, then slice it into strips similar in thickness to the squid. Remove the stems from the green peppers, wash them, and slice them diagonally. If you prefer more heat, you can substitute with Cheongyang peppers.
Step 4
Let’s start stir-frying! Heat 1 tablespoon of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the sliced onion and sauté for about 1-2 minutes until it becomes translucent and releases a sweet aroma. Sautéing the onion first enhances its natural sweetness.
Step 5
Once the onion starts to turn translucent, add the prepared scallions, squid, and green peppers to the pan. Now, add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of mirin, 1.5 tablespoons of gochugaru, 1 tablespoon of plum extract, and 1 teaspoon of fish sauce. Stir-fry everything together over high heat. To prevent the squid from becoming tough, cook quickly, stirring constantly, for about 1-2 minutes until the squid turns opaque.
Step 6
Finally, turn off the heat. Drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil for a nutty fragrance and sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds. Toss everything together gently.
Step 7
Transfer the delicious stir-fried squid and scallions to a serving dish. This dish is wonderful served over hot rice as a rice bowl, or enjoyed as a tasty accompaniment to a cold beer. Enjoy your meal!
