Spicy and Sweet Semi-Dried Squid Stir-Fry
Spicy and Sweet Semi-Dried Squid Stir-Fry
The Perfect Dish When You Have No Appetite! Spicy Semi-Dried Squid Stir-Fry Recipe
This dish features chewy semi-dried squid stir-fried with crisp Japanese chili peppers (kwari gochu) in a spicy and sweet sauce. The chili powder provides a satisfying kick, balanced by the sweetness of the oligosaccharide, making it an excellent side dish for rice or a delightful appetizer with drinks. Enjoy a special meal with the unique flavor of squid and the mild heat of the chili peppers.
Main Ingredients- 2 semi-dried squid
- 8 Japanese chili peppers (kwari gochu)
- 1 red chili pepper (for garnish and flavor)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, lightly rinse the semi-dried squid under cold water. Avoid washing excessively, as it can remove too much salt. Cut the cleaned squid into bite-sized pieces, about 3-4 cm long, using scissors or a knife.
Step 2
Wash the Japanese chili peppers (kwari gochu) and pat them dry. Cut them into similar sizes as the squid pieces. The mildly spicy and crisp texture of the chili peppers will add wonderful flavor to the stir-fry. Feel free to adjust the amount of chili peppers to your preference.
Step 3
Heat a frying pan over medium-high heat with just a little cooking oil (about 1/2 Tbsp). Add the prepared semi-dried squid and stir-fry quickly for about 30 seconds to 1 minute until the surface is lightly cooked. This helps retain the chewy texture.
Step 4
After briefly stir-frying the squid, reduce the heat to low. Add the soy sauce (2 Tbsp), cooking wine (1 Tbsp), oligosaccharide (1 Tbsp), red chili powder (1 Tbsp), and water (3-4 Tbsp) to create the sauce. Stir well to coat the squid, cooking over low heat to prevent the sauce from burning. Adding a little water helps prevent burning and allows the sauce to penetrate the squid.
Step 5
Once the sauce has slightly coated the squid, add the cut Japanese chili peppers and stir-fry together. To maintain their crispness, add them towards the end of cooking. Stir-fry for another 1-2 minutes, ensuring everything is well mixed.
Step 6
Now, add the minced garlic (1 tsp) and mix it in. Continue to stir-fry over low heat, as minced garlic can burn easily. Cook until the aroma of garlic is released, enhancing the deliciousness of the dish.
Step 7
Thinly slice the red chili pepper diagonally. This adds a beautiful color and a subtle aromatic note to the stir-fry. Add it in along with the Japanese chili peppers and mix briefly.
Step 8
Finally, drizzle in the sesame oil (1 Tbsp) and give it a final mix. The nutty aroma of sesame oil will further elevate the flavor of the squid stir-fry.
Step 9
Turn off the heat. Sprinkle with sesame seeds (1 Tbsp) and a pinch of black pepper, then mix well. Your delicious semi-dried squid stir-fry is ready! Serve it over hot rice or enjoy it with a cold beer.
