Squid Salad With Cucumber Watercress And Cilantro Food

THAI-STYLE SQUID AND CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Whisk lime juice, garlic, fish sauce, brown sugar, 1/4 cup oil, and 1/2 tsp. salt in a large bowl. Add cucumber, chiles, and peanuts and toss to coat. Set aside.
• Make sure squid is as dry as possible, then toss with remaining 1 1/2 tsp. salt. Separate bodies from tentacles.
• Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in a large cast-iron skillet until smoking. Sear half of the tentacles (don't try to do more than half-you don't want to crowd the pan), turning once halfway through, until lightly charred and opaque, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining tentacles, adding more oil if needed. Add a little more oil, then sear half of the bodies, turning once and picking up with tongs so that any liquid that has accumulated inside bodies can pour off into skillet and evaporate, until lightly charred and opaque, 2-3 minutes. Transfer to plate with cooked tentacles. Repeat with remaining bodies. Thinly slice bodies, then transfer squid to bowl with cucumber mixture and toss to coat.
• Arrange salad on a platter and drizzle remaining dressing over. Top with cilantro sprigs. Serve with rice alongside, if using.

SPICY THAI SQUID WITH CHILES AND CILANTRO

Steps:

• Rinse squid under cool running water. Drain and transfer them to a paper towel to dry completely. Cut bodies into 1/2-inch rings and halve tentacles.
• Place a large skillet over high heat. Let pan get very hot, heating it for a good 5 minutes. Move half the squid from the paper towels to a bowl, so they don't stick when you slide them into the pan. Add 1 tablespoon oil to skillet. Season squid with salt, slide them into the pan, and cook without moving for 1 minute. Flip squid and cook 30 seconds more. Repeat with remaining squid and oil. Don't overcrowd the pan; if your skillet doesn't fit the squid comfortably, cook them in smaller batches.
• In a medium bowl, combine cooked squid with lime juice and zest, fish sauce, shallot, jalapeño and cilantro. Let stand at room temperature for 1 hour (or refrigerate for up to 6 hours, then bring to room temperature before serving). Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Serve mounded onto cucumber rounds or scooped into shot glasses (and served with a fork), with peanuts sprinkled on top.

SPICY SQUID SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to high.
• Score the squid on a chopping board. Place in a bowl with the roasted chili paste and oil. Mix well. Place on a griddle or barbecue and grill for a few minutes each side until the squid is golden brown. Be careful not to overcook or the squid will be chewy.
• In the meantime, pound the ginger and garlic together in a pestle and mortar. Add the honey, lime, and fish sauce and mix well. Whisk in the sunflower and sesame oil.
• Chop the cucumber, pepper, spring onions and chili peppers and place in a bowl with mixed salad leaves, mint and coriander.
• Finely slice the grilled squid and add to the salad bowl. Pour over the dressing and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

POACHED SQUID SALAD WITH LIME AND JICAMA

Steps:

• Place squid in medium saucepan. Strain hot court bouillon over the squid. Turn heat on low so that liquid steams but does not simmer, for 1 minute. Taste a squid ring: it should be just opaque and tender. If still chewy and translucent, cook for another 30 seconds to 1 minute but no longer. Drain squid and place in large bowl. Place lime juice in small bowl and drizzle in olive oil while whisking so as to form an emulsion. Pour vinaigrette over squid and stir to combine. Add all remaining ingredients except cilantro and lettuce, and stir well. Can be served immediately or held up to one day in refrigerator. Stir in cilantro immediately before serving. Serve on leaves of Romaine lettuce arranged on chilled plates.
• Bring all ingredients to a boil in a medium sauce pan, lower to a simmer, and cook 15 to 20 minutes. Strain hot court-bouillon over squid.

SPICY SQUID SALAD WITH CUCUMBER AND CAPERS

Steps:

• Add the squid to a non-metallic bowl with 1 1/2 tablespoons olive oil, the garlic, chile, and toss to coat the squid. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and leave it in the refrigerator to marinate for 2 to 3 hours.
• Heat a large frying pan over high heat. Remove the squid from the marinade, and discard the marinade. Add the squid strips, and cook until it is just cooked, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Take care not to overcook the squid or it will become tough.
• Combine the cucumber, tomatoes, celery, celery leaves and basil in a large bowl.
• In a separate bowl, whisk together the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil and lemon juice, and season the mixture with the sea salt and black pepper. Set the dressing aside.
• Add the squid to the vegetables and toss well. Pile the salad onto a large platter, garnish with the capers and drizzle with the lemon dressing. Serve the salad immediately.

SQUID SALAD WITH CUCUMBER, WATERCRESS, AND CILANTRO

Steps:

• Prepare grill for medium-high heat; oil grate. Toss squid with 1 Tbsp. oil in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Grill squid, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and cooked through, about 4 minutes. Transfer squid to a cutting board and slice bodies into bite-size pieces. Toss squid with vinegar and chili oil in a clean large bowl. Add cucumbers, watercress, and cilantro and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt, pepper, and more vinegar and chili oil, if desired.