Chewy and Tender Dried Squid Stew
Delicious Even After Days! The Ultimate Easy Dried Squid Stew Recipe – Perfect for Side Dish or Beer Snack
This is the perfect refrigerator side dish, and it also makes a fantastic snack when you’re enjoying a beer! It’s a magical dried squid stew that you can keep for a while without spoiling, making it a practical and satisfying addition to your meal. The recipe is so incredibly simple that you might feel embarrassed to call it ‘cooking’, but once you taste it, you’ll find yourself making it again and again due to its irresistible flavor. Enjoy the wonderfully savory and chewy texture of this delicious dried squid stew!
Ingredients- 3 dried squids
- 1 cup broth (water can be substituted)
- 1 handful whole garlic cloves (about 10-15 cloves)
- 1/2 cup soy sauce
- 1/3 cup oligosaccharide
- A pinch of ground black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare the Squid: Cut the squid according to your preference. For this recipe, I’m slicing it into rounds, so I asked the fishmonger to remove the innards when I purchased it. Thoroughly rinsing is important.
Step 2
Separate and Slice Tentacles and Body: Carefully cut the tentacles away from the body. Then, cut the longer tentacles once more to achieve a bite-sized portion. Slice the body into rounds. Avoid cutting them too small, as this can diminish the chewy texture and make them appear less appealing.
Step 3
Make Flavorful Broth: While you can use plain water, using a broth will add a deeper, richer flavor. Boil 3 cups of water with a broth pack, half an onion, and half a green onion for about 20 minutes to create a delicious broth. Strain the broth to remove the solids.
Step 4
Prepare the Braising Sauce: Combine 1 cup of the prepared broth with 1/2 cup of soy sauce and 1/3 cup of oligosaccharide. Mix well to create the braising sauce. This balanced ratio of sweet and savory will result in a delicious stew.
Step 5
Add Squid and Simmer: Now, add the prepared squid to the sauce and let it simmer. It’s a good idea to briefly blanch the squid in boiling water before adding it to the sauce. This helps to release less moisture and reduces simmering time. (Tip: You can also simmer the fresh squid directly in the sauce, but it might take a little longer to cook.)
Step 6
Simmer Gently Over Medium Heat: Be careful not to simmer over high heat, as the soy sauce mixture can burn. It’s crucial to simmer slowly over medium heat, stirring frequently with a spatula to prevent sticking.
Step 7
Add Garlic and Optional Ingredients: Once the soy sauce mixture has reduced by about half, add the whole garlic cloves. Feel free to add optional ingredients like chili peppers (kwari peppers) or boiled quail eggs at this stage for added flavor and texture. Finish with a pinch of ground black pepper.
Step 8
Complete!: Continue to simmer until the squid becomes chewy and tender, and the garlic is cooked through. Your delicious dried squid stew is ready! It’s wonderful served warm, but it develops an even richer flavor when cooled and refrigerated.
