Greek Braised Squid Recipes

BRAISED SQUID WITH FENNEL & TOMATOES

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a flameproof casserole dish over a medium-high heat. Cook the fennel seeds, onion, fennel, chilli and preserved lemon with a pinch of salt for 5 mins until softened and fragrant, then add the garlic and cook for 1 min more.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and cook down for a few mins, then turn down the heat and add the squid. Cook gently for 3 mins, then add the wine and reduce by half. Add the stock and herbs, bring to a simmer, cover loosely with baking parchment and cook for 1½ hrs, until the squid is tender and meaty.
• To make the mayo, whisk the yolks, garlic, lemon juice and a pinch of salt until combined, then add the squid ink and whisk again. Slowly whisk in the oil until you have a thick, silky mayo. Serve the squid with rice and a spoon of mayo, with fronds of dill scattered over. Keep leftover mayo in the fridge (to use within one day).

CRISPY FRIED CALAMARI RECIPE (KALAMARAKIA TIGANITA)

Steps:

• To prepare this super easy fried calamari recipe, clean the calamari and wash thoroughly. Using a sharp knife cut the calamari in slices, approx. 1 cm each. This will create the rings, as seen in the picture below. Place the calamari rings on some paper towel to get ride of the excessive water.
• Prepare the seasoning for the fried calamari. In a blender add the seasoning and pulse until powdered. (Alternatively you can use a pestle.)
• In a large sandwich bag or tupperware add the flour and seasoning. Place in the sliced calamari and shake well to coat (you will need to do this in batches). Remove the calamari onto a plate, shaking of any excess flour.
• Into a medium sized frying pan pour enough vegetable oil to deep fry the calamari. Heat the oil to medium high heat until it begins to bubble. Test if the oil is hot enough by dipping one of the calamari rings in; if it sizzles the oil is ready. Fry the calamari in batches for about 2-3 minutes, until nicely golden.
• Remove the fried calamari using a slotted spoon and place on some paper towel to dry for 1-2 minutes. Have a taste and sprinkle with some more salt.
• Enjoy this delicious Greek fried calamari recipe with a last minute squeeze of a lemon.

GREEK BRAISED SQUID

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 275°F
• Heat a little olive oil in a heavy-based ovenproof casserole and sweat the onions, celery and fennel until softened but not brown. Stir in the ground spices, chili to taste and the tomatoes.
• Add the wine, fish stock, orange juice and zest, then stir in the chopped squid.
• Cover and bake for about 2 hours until tender. Stir through some of the chopped cilantro.
• Serve in big bowls, sprinkled with remaining coriander and accompanied by lots of fresh ciabatta to mop up the juice.

BRAISED SQUID WITH ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cut the lemon in half, squeeze the juice into a bowl of water, and add the lemon halves. Cut the trimmed artichokes into 4 pieces each, and as they are done, add them to the lemon water.
• Place a large skillet or broad saucepan over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of the oil; a minute later, add the garlic and anchovies. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the anchovies break up and the garlic begins to color, 3 to 5 minutes. Add the squid and the artichokes, stir, cover and turn the heat to medium.
• Uncover and stir the mixture every 5 minutes or so. When the squid and artichokes begin to become tender, after 15 or 20 minutes, uncover and cook until most of the liquid has evaporated and the squid and artichokes are tender, about 10 to 15 minutes longer. Season with pepper. It's highly unlikely this dish will need added salt, especially if you use anchovies, but taste and see. Stir in the remaining olive oil, garnish with the parsley and serve.

KALAMARAKIA TIGANITA: CLASSIC GREEK SMALL FRIED SQUID (CALAMARI)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Defrost the squid according to the package instructions, if you're using frozen rings. Otherwise, clean the squid in preparation for frying, keeping the tentacles in one piece.
• Season the squid with salt. You can also add pepper if desired.
• Preheat a deep skillet or a heavy-bottomed frying pan over low heat.
• Pour oil into the frying pan. It should not be any deeper than half the depth of the pan. Turn the heat up to high.
• Dredge the squid in the flour and let sit for a few minutes.
• Gently shake off any excess flour.
• Add the squid to the pan when the oil is hot. Check the oil by touching a piece of the calamari to it. If the calamari sizzles, the oil is ready.
• Fry the squid without crowding them until they are crisp and golden brown on all sides, about 1 to 3 minutes.
• Remove them with a slotted spoon, and drain on paper towels.
• Garnish with parsley, and serve with lemon wedges.

GARLIC-AND-HERB-BRAISED SQUID

Steps:

• Rinse squid under cold water and pat dry. Halve any large tentacles lengthwise and cut bodies (including flaps, if attached) crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide rings.
• Chop enough parsley to measure 2 tablespoons and reserve. Chop remaining parsley and garlic together. Heat oil in a 4-quart heavy pot over low heat until hot, then cook parsley-garlic mixture and red-pepper flakes, stirring, until garlic begins to sizzle, about 2 minutes. Increase heat to medium-high and add squid, then cook, stirring occasionally, until squid is barely opaque, about 1 minute. Add wine and briskly simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly reduced, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes with their juice, water, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and simmer, covered, stirring occasionally, until squid is very tender, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Season with additional salt and pepper and stir in reserved parsley.