Spicy and Sweet Chewy Dried Squid Stir-fry
Trying the Altoran-style Dried Squid Stir-fry!
I’ve been seeing the Altoran dried squid stir-fry recipe everywhere lately, so I decided to try making it myself! It’s a fantastic side dish or even a great accompaniment to drinks, with its satisfying chewy texture and delicious spicy-sweet sauce.
Main Ingredients- 150g dried shredded squid
- A pinch of sesame seeds (for garnish)
Seasoning Sauce- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp peanut butter
- 2 Tbsp rice wine (or mirin)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp water
- 2 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 1/2 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 1 Tbsp peanut butter
- 2 Tbsp rice wine (or mirin)
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
This is a crucial step to achieve the perfect chewy texture. Prepare 150g of dried shredded squid. (Note: The current prices for squid-related ingredients are quite high.) Submerge the dried squid in water, ensuring it’s only half covered, and gently knead it with your hands. This process helps the squid absorb moisture, making it more tender and pliable.
Step 2
Once the dried squid has absorbed enough moisture, drain it thoroughly in a colander. Avoid draining it for too long; retaining some moisture is key to preventing it from becoming tough when stir-fried.
Step 3
Cut the drained dried squid into bite-sized pieces using scissors or a knife. Pieces around 5-7 cm long are generally easy to eat.
Step 4
Now, let’s prepare the delicious seasoning sauce. In a bowl, combine the gochujang, gochugaru, peanut butter, rice wine, minced garlic, and water. Mix them well until you have a smooth sauce. (Tip: The basic ratio from the Altoran recipe for gochujang, gochugaru, and peanut butter is 1:1:1. However, it’s most important to adjust this ratio to your personal taste. I’ve modified it slightly to suit my preferences.)
Step 5
The best part of cooking is discovering flavors that perfectly match your palate. Start by following a recipe exactly, and then gradually adjust the ingredients or seasonings to your liking. With practice, you’ll develop an intuition for how to tweak any recipe to make it just right for you.
Step 6
Transfer the prepared seasoning sauce to a saucepan and bring it to a gentle simmer over low heat. Simmering the sauce allows the flavors to deepen and meld beautifully. Be sure to stir continuously to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
Step 7
Once the sauce has thickened slightly and the ingredients are well combined, remove it from the heat. (If the sauce seems too thick, add a tiny bit more water to reach your desired consistency.) Add the cut dried squid to the sauce and toss gently to coat evenly. (Note: In reality, simply tossing the squid in the sauce without further stir-frying actually preserves its chewy texture best. So, this dish is perhaps closer to a ‘dried squid salad’ than a ‘stir-fry’!)
Step 8
Finally, sprinkle with sesame seeds and mix well. Your delicious spicy and sweet dried squid is ready! Dried squid can become tough quickly if exposed to heat for too long, so the mixing process should be done swiftly. Enjoy your meal with this wonderfully chewy and flavorful dried squid!
