Crispy Squid With Garlic Chile And Basil Recipes

STIR-FRIED SQUID WITH BASIL AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Dry the squid well. Cut vertically through the group of tentacles if it is large, otherwise leave whole.
• Cut the squid body into rectangles, diamonds, or squares with no pieces being larger than 1 inch.
• If the basil leaves are large, chop to about the same size pieces as the squid.
• Mix the squid and basil together.
• Heat wok or large skillet over high heat.
• Lower the heat to medium, then add the peanut oil.
• Swirl the oil and add the garlic. Stir once and return the heat to high before adding the squid-basil mixture.
• Stir and add the red pepper. Stir frequently until the squid becomes opaque, less than one minute.
• Begin tasting the squid and keep tasting until tender, about 1-3 minutes more. Add salt to taste.
• Serve over rice.

CRISPY SQUID WITH GARLIC MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Strange though it might sound to say it, this is another of my supper-standbys. I keep the frozen squid in the deep-freeze, taking it out in the morning at breakfast to let it thaw in time for the evening's meal. I prefer to eat a massive amount of this, and nothing else (I can eat the whole lot myself) rather than have it more meanly as a starter unless, in a life outside of this chapter's parameters, I'm expecting company, in which case it would happily stretch to 4 people, ready to dunk each crisp piece of squid into the garlic mayonnaise over pre-dinner drinks.
• I feel the ghost of Elizabeth David spitting at my calling this 'crispy' squid, but that's what I habitually call it at home, and I beg forgiveness of the pedants, with whom I have some sympathy.
• Heat the oil in a smallish saucepan and while it's left to heat up cut the thawed squid into 1/2-inch rings.
• Put the cornstarch, semolina and seasoning into a plastic freezer bag. Add the squid rings and tentacles and then toss to coat.
• When the oil is hot enough, which is when it sizzles up fiercely when you drop in a small cube of bread, fry the squid in batches to get the most golden crunchiness. A couple of minutes per batch is all you should need
• Mince the garlic into the mayonnaise to serve alongside the fried squid.

STIR-FRIED SQUID WITH BASIL AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Dry the squid well with cloth or paper towels. Cut vertically through the group of tentacles if it is large; otherwise, leave whole. Cut the squid bodies into rectangles, diamonds, or squares, with no dimension greater than 1 inch. The pieces should be fairly uniform in size. Have everything else ready and at hand before you begin to cook.
• Put a large nonstick skillet over high heat; add the oil and, when it shimmers, add the garlic, chiles, and coriander. Cook, stirring almost constantly, for 15 seconds. Raise the heat to high, add the squid, and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 3 minutes, just until it loses its raw look.
• Lower the heat to medium and stir in the sugar, nam pla, lime leaf if you have it, and basil. Cook, stirring, for another few seconds, just until the basil wilts. Taste, add salt or more chile or nam pla if necessary, and serve.
• Same technique, different ingredients: In step 3, stir in 1/4 cup water, 1 tablespoon go chu jang (page 591) or 1 tablespoon miso mixed with a pinch of cayenne, 2 tablespoons soy sauce, 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds (page 596), and 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil. Instead of basil, garnish with minced scallion.

CRISPY SQUID WITH GARLIC MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a smallish saucepan and while it's left to heat up cut the thawed squid into 1/2-inch rings.
• Put the cornstarch, semolina and seasoning into a plastic freezer bag. Add the squid rings and tentacles and then toss to coat.
• When the oil is hot enough, which is when it sizzles up fiercely when you drop in a small cube of bread, fry the squid in batches to get the most golden crunchiness.
• A couple of minutes per batch is all you should need.
• Mince the garlic into the mayonnaise to serve alongside the fried squid.

THAI SQUID WITH CHILIES AND BASIL

Steps:

• Pound of grind the red and green chilies, the garlic, the cilantro, and salt to a paste.
• Heat the oil in a wok or skillet and fry the paste over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes until fragrant. Add the squid and banana peppers and stir-fry for about 3 minutes until squid is cooked.
• Add fish sauce, sugar, lime leaves and basil. The mixture should taste hot, salty and sweet, so adjust seasonings if necessary.