Spicy and Savory Stir-fried Squid
Create Deliciously Chewy & Spicy Stir-fried Squid: The Ultimate Recipe!
This incredibly flavorful stir-fried squid, with its perfectly chewy texture and vibrant spicy-sweet sauce, is guaranteed to make you crave a bowl of rice! It’s so satisfying that you won’t need any other side dishes. Enjoy making this delightful dish.
Main Ingredients
- 2 squids (approx. 300-350g body)
- ½ onion (sliced thinly)
- ¼ carrot (julienned thinly)
- 1 stalk green onion (sliced diagonally)
- 1-2 chili peppers (optional, sliced diagonally)
- 3 Tbsp cooking oil (approx. 45ml)
Spicy & Sweet Sauce
- 5 Tbsp soy sauce (approx. 75ml)
- 3 Tbsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar (approx. 22ml, adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (approx. 15g)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (approx. 15ml)
- 50ml water (for sauce consistency)
- 5 Tbsp soy sauce (approx. 75ml)
- 3 Tbsp red chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar (approx. 22ml, adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic (approx. 15g)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (approx. 15ml)
- 50ml water (for sauce consistency)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, let’s prepare the squid. Remove the innards cleanly and rinse the squid under running water. You can peel off the skin if you prefer, or leave it on.
Step 2
Cut the cleaned squid into bite-sized pieces. Slice the body into rings or half-moons, and cut the tentacles to a similar length. This ensures the sauce coats everything evenly and deliciously.
Step 3
The secret to delicious stir-fried squid is the sauce! In a bowl, combine 5 Tbsp soy sauce, 3 Tbsp red chili powder, 1.5 Tbsp sugar, 1 Tbsp minced garlic, and 50ml water. Whisk together until well combined to create your flavorful sauce. (Feel free to adjust the amount of chili powder and sugar to your preference.)
Step 4
Now, let’s start stir-frying. Heat 3 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat.
Step 5
Add the sliced green onions to the pan and stir-fry until fragrant, creating a savory green onion oil. You’ll achieve a deeper flavor if the onions turn slightly golden.
Step 6
Once the aroma of the green onion oil is released, add the prepared squid and stir-fry over high heat. Cook just until the squid turns from translucent to opaque white. Be careful not to overcook, as it can become tough!
Step 7
When the squid is partially cooked, add 1.5 Tbsp sugar and stir-fry together. The sugar will melt and coat the squid, adding sweetness and depth of flavor.
Step 8
Once the sugar has nicely melted into the squid, pour in all of the prepared spicy and sweet sauce.
Step 9
Stir-fry quickly over medium heat to ensure the sauce is well incorporated with the squid. Keep stirring to prevent the sauce from burning.
Step 10
Now it’s time to add the vegetables. Toss in the thinly sliced carrots and onions, and stir-fry rapidly over high heat to maintain their crispness. It’s important to stir-fry quickly before the vegetables become too soft.
Step 11
If the sauce seems like it might stick to the pan or burn, add a splash of the 50ml water you prepared. This will help adjust the sauce consistency and keep the dish moist.
Step 12
Finally, add the diagonally sliced chili peppers (like jalapeños or red chilies) and stir-fry briefly one more time. The spiciness and color of the chilies will enhance the dish’s appeal.
Step 13
Once all ingredients are well combined, turn off the heat and drizzle in 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for an aromatic finish. Give it a quick mix. The nutty sesame aroma will make the dish even more irresistible.
Step 14
Transfer the beautifully prepared stir-fried squid to a serving dish. Serve it piled high! Enjoy it mixed with hot rice or wrapped in fresh lettuce leaves. This dish is perfect for a special meal that the whole family will love. Enjoy your meal!
