Crisp and Refreshing Seasoned Squid Salad Recipe
Spicy, Sweet, and Tangy Squid and Vegetable Salad
This recipe guides you through making a delightful squid and vegetable salad, tossed in a perfectly balanced sweet and sour spicy dressing. Often, salads tossed directly in dressing can become watery and mushy over time. The secret to this recipe is pre-salting the vegetables in a vinegar solution, which draws out excess moisture, enhances their crispness, and prevents the salad from becoming watery. Enjoy a refreshing squid salad that stays crisp and delicious, even after resting. It’s a perfect side dish or a flavorful main when you crave something zesty!
Main Ingredients
- 1 squid (fresh)
- 1/2 cucumber
- 200g daikon radish (about 1/4 of a medium radish)
- 1/3 carrot
- 1/4 onion
- 1 Korean green chili pepper
- 1 red chili pepper
Spicy & Sweet Dressing
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste, heaping)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, fine grind for a smooth taste)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp maesilcheong (green plum syrup, for depth and shine)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar (key for tanginess)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (for aromatic flavor)
- A pinch of sesame seeds (for a nutty finish)
Vegetable Brine for Crispness
- 3 Tbsp vinegar
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 cup water (200ml)
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste, heaping)
- 2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, fine grind for a smooth taste)
- 1 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 2 Tbsp maesilcheong (green plum syrup, for depth and shine)
- 2 Tbsp vinegar (key for tanginess)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (for aromatic flavor)
- A pinch of sesame seeds (for a nutty finish)
Vegetable Brine for Crispness
- 3 Tbsp vinegar
- 3 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp salt
- 1 cup water (200ml)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Let’s start by preparing the squid. Rinse the squid thoroughly, remove the insides, and peel off the skin for a clean finish.
Step 2
Make shallow diagonal cuts on the inside of the squid body. Then, cut the squid into bite-sized pieces, approximately 2cm wide and 5cm long. Scoring the squid helps it absorb the dressing better and improves its texture.
Step 3
Bring a pot of water to a rolling boil. Once boiling, add the prepared squid. Blanch it just until it changes color. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become tough.
Step 4
Quickly remove the blanched squid and rinse it under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool it down. This step helps keep the squid firm and tender. Drain the squid well and set aside.
Step 5
Now, it’s time to prepare the colorful array of vegetables that will accompany the squid. A generous amount of fresh vegetables makes this salad even more delicious.
Step 6
Slice each vegetable appropriately: 1. Peel and thinly julienne the onion. 2. Slice the cucumber, daikon radish, and carrot into similar sizes as the squid (about 2x5cm rectangles). 3. Remove the seeds from the green and red chilies, then slice them thinly on an angle for a beautiful presentation and a hint of spice.
Step 7
The secret to achieving a crisp texture! In a bowl, mix the ingredients for the vegetable brine (3 Tbsp vinegar, 3 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp salt, 1 cup water). Add the sliced daikon radish and carrot to this brine first, as they are firmer and need more time to pickle.
Step 8
Let the daikon radish and carrot pickle in the brine for about 15 minutes until they are crisp-tender. Stir them occasionally for even brining.
Step 9
While the vegetables are pickling, let’s make the flavorful dressing. In a separate bowl, combine gochujang, gochugaru, soy sauce, sugar, maesilcheong, vinegar, and minced garlic. Stir well until the sugar dissolves. Reserve the sesame seeds for the end.
Step 10
In a large mixing bowl, combine the blanched squid, the drained pickled daikon radish and carrot, the julienned onion, and the sliced chilies.
Step 11
Pour the prepared spicy and sweet dressing over the ingredients in the bowl. Gently toss everything together, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to mash the vegetables.
Step 12
Finally, sprinkle sesame seeds generously over the salad for a nutty aroma, and your tempting seasoned squid salad is ready! Serve it attractively in a nice dish and enjoy.
