Tender & Chewy Boiled Squid: A Simple Home-Style Recipe
Tender & Chewy Boiled Squid: A Simple Home-Style Recipe
Boiled Squid: A Protein-Rich & Nutritious Home Meal
Enjoy a satisfying protein boost with two fresh squids from the supermarket, prepared as delicious boiled squid. This recipe focuses on achieving a wonderfully tender yet chewy texture, perfect for a healthy and quick meal. We’ll guide you through preparing the squid body for boiling and how to separately use the tentacles. Get ready to impress with restaurant-quality boiled squid right in your own kitchen!
Main Ingredients- 2 fresh squids
- Boiling liquid: 1 Tbsp salt, 2 Tbsp vinegar, 2 Tbsp cooking wine (mirin or sake)
Spicy & Sweet Gochujang Dipping Sauce- 3 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- A little chopped scallion or green onion
- 3 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- Pinch of toasted sesame seeds
- A little chopped scallion or green onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Start by preparing the squid. Rinse the squid body and tentacles thoroughly under running water. Carefully remove the hard beak-like mouthparts and any remaining internal organs or debris. This initial cleaning step is crucial for eliminating any unpleasant fishy taste.
Step 2
Here’s a handy trick for easily peeling the squid skin: Rub about 1 tablespoon of coarse salt all over the squid body. The salt acts as an abrasive, softening the skin and making it much easier to peel off. For added convenience, use the edge of a paper towel to lift and peel the skin, starting from the edges.
Step 3
As you can see, the squid skin has been cleanly removed. This step ensures a smoother texture and a more visually appealing boiled squid dish.
Step 4
The squid tentacles can sometimes have small suction cups that might affect the texture. To remove these, gently rub the tentacles with salt. This helps to clean off any lingering bits, ensuring a pleasant chewiness.
Step 5
After cleaning the skin and tentacles, give the squid another quick rinse under cold running water. This final wash helps to remove any remaining salt or debris, preserving the fresh flavor of the squid.
Step 6
Now, let’s score the squid body. On the inside of the squid body, make diagonal cuts with a knife, slanting the blade. Making the cuts relatively close together and shallow will cause the squid to curl beautifully when boiled, creating an attractive, flower-like appearance.
Step 7
In a large pot, bring enough water to fully submerge the squid. Once the water is at a rolling boil, add 1 tablespoon of salt, 2 tablespoons of vinegar, and 2 tablespoons of cooking wine. Cover the pot and let it boil vigorously. This is a key step for infusing flavor and tenderizing the squid.
Step 8
When the water is boiling rapidly, carefully add the prepared squid to the pot. The key to tender boiled squid is not to overcook it. Boil for just about 1 minute. You’ll notice the squid start to curl and firm up slightly as it cooks. Be sure to keep an eye on the time!
Step 9
Immediately after removing the boiled squid from the hot water, plunge it into a bowl of ice-cold water. This rapid cooling process stops the cooking and locks in that desirable firm, chewy texture, much like perfectly cooked noodles.
Step 10
Let’s make the delicious dipping sauce! In a small bowl, combine 3 tablespoons of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1 tablespoon of vinegar, and 1/2 tablespoon of minced garlic. Mix well until smooth. Finally, sprinkle in some toasted sesame seeds and a bit of chopped scallion or green onion for added aroma and a hint of freshness. Feel free to adjust the sauce proportions to your taste.
Step 11
Drain the chilled squid and pat it dry gently. Slice the squid body into bite-sized pieces and cut the tentacles to your liking. Arrange them attractively on a serving plate, perhaps with the scored side facing outwards for a lovely presentation.
Step 12
And there you have it – your perfectly tender and flavorful homemade boiled squid, ready in minutes! Serve it with the freshly made gochujang dipping sauce and enjoy a simple, healthy, and delicious meal. Bon appétit!
