Chinese Spicy Squid Recipe: How to Make It at Home

If you're a fan of seafood and spicy food, you'll love this Chinese spicy squid recipe. Squid is a popular ingredient in Chinese cuisine, and this recipe takes it to the next level with a fiery sauce that will leave your taste buds tingling. The squid is stir-fried to perfection, creating a deliciously crispy texture that pairs perfectly with the spicy sauce.

To make this recipe, you'll need fresh squid, which you can find at your local seafood market. Make sure to select squid that is firm and not slimy, as this will ensure that it cooks evenly and has a good texture. The squid is then scored to create grooves that will help the sauce to adhere to it better. The sauce is made with a variety of Chinese spices, including ginger and garlic, which add depth and complexity to the dish.

Once the squid is cooked, it's time to enjoy! This dish is perfect as a main course or as a side dish to accompany other Chinese dishes. Serve it with steamed rice and vegetables for a complete meal that is sure to impress your guests.

Key Takeaways

• This Chinese spicy squid recipe is perfect for seafood and spicy food lovers.
• Fresh squid is the best choice for this recipe, and it should be firm and not slimy.
• Serve this dish as a main course or as a side dish with steamed rice and vegetables for a complete meal.

Selecting Ingredients

When it comes to making Chinese spicy squid, selecting the right ingredients is key to achieving a flavourful and delicious dish. Here are some tips to help you choose the best ingredients for your recipe.

Choosing the Right Squid

For this recipe, you'll want to choose fresh squid that has a firm texture and a sweet, briny flavour. Look for squid that has clear, bright eyes and shiny skin. You can use either squid rings or tentacles, or a combination of both, depending on your preference.

If you can't find fresh squid, frozen squid can be a good alternative. Just make sure to thaw it completely before cooking.

Essential Spices and Aromatics

To give your Chinese spicy squid its signature flavour, you'll need a few essential spices and aromatics. Garlic and ginger are a must, as they add depth and complexity to the dish. Fresh red chilli peppers can be used for heat, or you can use dried chilli flakes if you prefer.

Other spices that can be used include Sichuan peppercorns, which add a numbing, tingling sensation to the dish, and five-spice powder, which is a blend of cinnamon, cloves, fennel seeds, star anise, and Sichuan peppercorns.

Vegetable Selection

While vegetables are not a traditional ingredient in Chinese spicy squid, you can add some to the dish for extra flavour and nutrition. Onions and bell peppers are a good choice, as they add sweetness and crunch to the dish.

If you want to keep the dish more traditional, you can skip the vegetables altogether and focus on the squid and spices. Seafood such as prawns or scallops can also be used in place of or in combination with squid for a tasty seafood stir-fry.

Overall, selecting fresh, high-quality ingredients is essential for making a delicious Chinese spicy squid dish. With the right ingredients and a little bit of spice, you can create a flavourful and satisfying meal that is sure to impress.

Preparation Techniques

When it comes to preparing Chinese spicy squid, there are a few key techniques to keep in mind. By following these steps, you can ensure that your squid is perfectly cooked and bursting with flavour.

Cleaning and Cutting Squid

First things first, you need to clean and cut your squid. Start by removing the head and tentacles, and then carefully remove the skin. Rinse the squid under cold water to remove any remaining debris.

Next, cut the squid into bite-sized pieces. You can either slice it into rings or score it to create a criss-cross pattern. This will help the squid absorb the marinade and cook more evenly.

Marinating for Flavour

Marinating your squid is an essential step in creating a delicious Chinese spicy squid dish. You can use a variety of ingredients to create a flavourful marinade, such as soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, garlic, ginger, and hot pepper flakes.

Simply mix your marinade ingredients together and toss your squid in the mixture. Allow it to marinate for at least 30 minutes, or overnight for a more intense flavour.

Making the Batter

To create a crispy coating for your squid, you'll need to make a batter. You can use a combination of cornstarch, flour, potato starch, and baking powder to create the perfect texture.

Mix your dry ingredients together and gradually add water until you have a smooth batter. Dip your squid pieces into the batter and then deep fry until golden brown.

Seafood such as prawns and scallops can also be used in this recipe. If you choose to use seafood, make sure to adjust the cooking time accordingly to ensure that it is cooked through.

Cooking Process

Stir-Frying Basics

Stir-frying is a popular Chinese cooking technique that involves cooking food quickly over high heat. To stir-fry successfully, you will need a wok or a large frying pan. The high heat and the shape of the wok or pan allow for even cooking and quick cooking times.

To stir-fry, you will need to prepare all the ingredients beforehand as the cooking process is quick. Cut the squid into bite-sized pieces, and marinate them in a mixture of soy sauce, rice wine, and cornstarch for about 10 minutes.

Managing Oil and Heat

Oil temperature is essential for successful stir-frying. Vegetable oil, peanut oil, or sesame oil is commonly used for stir-frying. Heat the oil in the wok or pan until it starts to smoke. At this point, the oil is hot enough to add the squid.

When stir-frying, it is important to keep the heat high and to keep the ingredients moving in the wok or pan. This will ensure that everything cooks evenly and quickly.

Combining Ingredients

Once the oil is hot, add the squid to the wok or pan and stir-fry for about 2-3 minutes until it is cooked through. Remove the squid from the wok or pan and set it aside.

Next, add garlic, ginger, and diced vegetables to the wok or pan and stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until they are fragrant. Add the squid back to the wok or pan, and stir-fry for another minute.

Finally, add a spicy sauce made with soy sauce, chili paste, and sugar to the wok or pan and stir-fry for another minute until everything is well combined.

If you are looking to add more seafood to the recipe, you can also use prawns or scallops. Cut them into bite-sized pieces and follow the same marinating and cooking process as the squid.

Serving and Presentation

Plating Your Dish

When it comes to plating your Chinese spicy squid recipe, you have a few options. You could serve it family-style in a large dish with a spoon and let everyone help themselves. Alternatively, you could plate each serving individually.

If you choose to plate individually, consider using a shallow bowl or plate to showcase the squid and its sauce. Arrange the squid on the plate and spoon the sauce over the top. You may also want to add some steamed rice to the plate to soak up the delicious sauce.

Garnishing for Visual Appeal

Garnishing your dish can add visual appeal and a pop of freshness to your Chinese spicy squid recipe. Consider adding some green onions or scallions to the top of the dish for a pop of colour. You could also sprinkle some sesame seeds over the top for added texture.

If you're feeling adventurous, you could even create a crispy garnish to add some crunch to your dish. Simply slice some green onions or scallions into thin strips and fry them until crispy. Drain on a paper towel and sprinkle over the top of your dish.

Seafood lovers may also want to consider adding some other types of seafood to their dish. Shrimp or prawns would be a great addition to this recipe. Simply add them in with the squid and cook until they're pink and cooked through.

Overall, the presentation of your Chinese spicy squid recipe is up to you. Get creative and have fun with it!

Nutritional Information

When it comes to making Chinese spicy squid, it's important to consider the nutritional information of the dish. Squid is a great source of protein, with a 100g serving containing around 18g of protein. It's also low in fat, with just 0.7g of fat per 100g serving.

However, it's worth noting that squid is relatively high in cholesterol, with a 100g serving containing around 233mg of cholesterol. If you're watching your cholesterol intake, you may want to limit your consumption of squid.

In terms of other nutrients, squid is a good source of vitamin B12 and vitamin E, as well as minerals such as zinc, copper, and selenium.

When it comes to the spicy sauce used in the recipe, it's important to be mindful of the sodium content. Many recipes call for soy sauce, which can be high in sodium. To reduce the sodium content of your dish, you could try using a reduced-sodium soy sauce or using less soy sauce overall.

If you're looking to boost the nutritional content of your spicy squid dish, consider adding some vegetables to the mix. Carrots and green onions are commonly used in Chinese cuisine and can add some extra vitamins and minerals to your meal. You could also consider using other types of seafood, such as shrimp or scallops, to add some variety to your dish.

Overall, Chinese spicy squid can be a tasty and nutritious dish when prepared with care. By being mindful of the ingredients you use and paying attention to the nutritional information, you can create a dish that's both delicious and good for you.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can you make your spicy squid as flavourful as the Chinese version?

To make your spicy squid as flavourful as the Chinese version, it is essential to use the right ingredients and cooking techniques. Chinese spicy squid typically uses a combination of soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, ginger, garlic, and chilli flakes. You can also add some Sichuan peppercorns for a numbing effect. Marinating the squid in the sauce for at least 30 minutes before cooking can help infuse more flavour.

What's the trick to getting super tender squid in a stir-fry?

The trick to getting super tender squid in a stir-fry is to cook it quickly over high heat. Overcooking can make the squid tough and rubbery. It's also important to score the squid before cooking, which allows the sauce to penetrate the flesh better.

Can you suggest some sides that pair well with spicy squid dishes?

Spicy squid dishes go well with steamed rice, stir-fried vegetables, or a simple cucumber salad. You can also try serving it with some seafood soup or fried rice.

What are the key spices needed for that authentic Chinese squid taste?

The key spices needed for that authentic Chinese squid taste include soy sauce, Shaoxing wine, ginger, garlic, and chilli flakes. You can also add some Sichuan peppercorns for a numbing effect.

Is there a preferred type of squid for making Chinese spicy squid?

There is no preferred type of squid for making Chinese spicy squid, but it's best to use fresh squid. You can use either tubes or tentacles, or a combination of both.

Why might someone soak squid in milk before cooking, and should you do it too?

Soaking squid in milk before cooking can help tenderize the flesh and remove any fishy odour. The lactic acid in milk helps break down the proteins in the squid, making it more tender. However, this method is not commonly used in Chinese cuisine. If you prefer to try this method, you can soak the squid in milk for 30 minutes before cooking.

Remember, the key to making a delicious Chinese spicy squid dish is to use fresh ingredients, the right spices, and proper cooking techniques.