Chewy Mussels and Tender Boiled Squid with a Zesty Gochujang Sauce
Boiled Mussels and Squid: A Refreshing Treat, Even During Holidays!
Hello everyone, it’s Choi-mom! ^^ At my home, we often prepare seafood dishes for ancestral rites or holidays, so we always stock up on mussels and squid. During the hustle and bustle of holiday cooking, I decided to make this simple yet elegant dish. When you’re busy preparing holiday meals, it can be a hassle to cook a full meal, so I often turn to the fresh seafood we have on hand. This time, I thought, ‘What delicious seafood dish can I make?’ and decided on boiled mussels and squid. The sweet and tangy gochujang sauce perfectly complements the fresh seafood, creating a satisfying meal or a wonderful appetizer.
Main Ingredients- 3 fresh squids
- A generous amount of fresh mussels
- 15 stalks of green onions
Seasoning Sauce- Gochujang sauce (pre-made) to taste
- Toasted sesame seeds to taste
- Gochujang sauce (pre-made) to taste
- Toasted sesame seeds to taste
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, fill a pot with plenty of water and bring it to a boil. While the water is heating up, prepare to clean the fresh mussels and squid. Fresh ingredient preparation is key, even when you’re busy!
Step 2
The mussels we’re using today are exceptionally fresh and look delicious. I’ve set aside a good portion for our main holiday seafood dishes and will use just enough for this recipe.
Step 3
Take the squid out of the refrigerator, rinse it under running water, and clean it thoroughly. Remove the innards and the quill, then prepare the squid by cutting it into bite-sized pieces or a desired shape.
Step 4
We often enjoy gochujang sauce at my home, so I usually have it pre-made. When serving with boiled seafood like this, adding finely chopped fresh green onions to the sauce enhances its flavor with a refreshing aroma, making it even more delicious.
Step 5
Sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds over the gochujang sauce with the green onions for a nutty fragrance. With these simple steps, the delicious dipping sauce is ready. Shall we start preparing the boiled seafood now?
Step 6
The water we started boiling is now bubbling vigorously! Carefully add the prepared squid to the boiling water and blanch it briefly. Overcooking the squid can make it tough, so it’s important to blanch it for just the right amount of time. A quick stir and it will be cooked in no time.
Step 7
Next, it’s time to blanch the mussels. Add the cleaned mussels to the boiling water and cook just until they open. Mussels cook very quickly, so it’s important to watch them closely and remove them once they’re done.
Step 8
Drain the blanched mussels in a colander and let them cool slightly. Draining the water thoroughly will prevent the dish from becoming watery when served.
Step 9
Prepare the trimmed green onions. We’ll boil water in an electric kettle and pour it over the green onions. This method allows us to quickly blanch the green onions, making them tender while retaining a slight crispness. This will enhance their subtle flavor.
Step 10
Pour the boiling water over the green onions and stir gently with chopsticks. Blanching the green onions is now complete! Rinse them quickly under cold water to finish. They are now tender yet slightly crisp, offering a delightful freshness.
Step 11
Arrange the drained mussels on a serving plate. To add visual appeal, neatly roll the blanched green onions and place them on top of the mussels, making the dish look more inviting.
Step 12
Serve the sweet and tangy gochujang sauce, prepared with care. The combination of fresh mussels, aromatic green onions, and the zesty sauce is always a winner!
Step 13
And just like that, a generous and appetizing plate of boiled mussels is ready! It looks delicious just looking at it.
Step 14
Slice the boiled squid into attractive pieces and arrange them on a plate. Place the rolled green onions next to the squid for an even more abundant and visually appealing presentation.
Step 15
Serve the fresh boiled squid with the zesty gochujang sauce. The thought of chewy squid dipped in savory-sweet sauce is simply delightful!
Step 16
Finally, the boiled mussels and squid are complete! Dipping the fresh mussels and chewy squid into the gochujang sauce, and even dipping the aromatic green onions generously, cuts through any potential richness and fills your mouth with a burst of flavor. It was truly delicious! This makes for a wonderful treat to recharge when you’re tired from holiday cooking.
