Chewy Seasoned Raw Squid Salad
How to Prepare Fresh Squid and Make Delicious Seasoned Raw Squid Salad
A detailed guide on making a chewy and savory seasoned raw squid salad using fresh squid. This recipe covers everything from how to properly prepare the squid to creating a delicious seasoning sauce and tips for enjoying it. Perfect for beginners wanting to make a delightful squid dish at home.
Ingredients
- 7 fresh squids
- 1/4 carrot
- 1/4 daikon radish
- 10 perilla leaves
- A small amount of red cabbage
- 1 chili pepper (e.g., Cheongyang pepper)
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 4-5 Tbsp gochujang-based chili sauce (cho-gochujang)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Carefully remove the innards from the fresh squid’s body and rinse it thoroughly under running water. For the tentacles, remove the cartilage and eyes, then clean them.
Step 2
Rinse the prepared squid tentacles under running water. If you’re not using them immediately, freezing them to chop and use later in pancakes, fritters, or fried rice is a great idea. For the squid body, use a knife to gently scrape off the outer skin.
Step 3
Place the cleaned squid into a bowl of ice-cold water. This step helps to firm up the squid meat, giving it a wonderfully chewy texture.
Step 4
Remove the squid from the ice water and pat it completely dry with paper towels. Ensuring the squid is dry is crucial to prevent the sauce from becoming watery and to maintain the best flavor. Now, thinly slice the squid into bite-sized pieces.
Step 5
If the squid body is thick, you can make thin lengthwise cuts (butterflying) before slicing it into fine strips. This helps the seasoning to penetrate better and makes it easier to chew.
Step 6
In a large mixing bowl, combine the sliced squid. Add vegetables that are about twice the amount of the squid, julienned into similar thicknesses. Add finely chopped chili pepper for a spicy kick. Feel free to adjust the amount of chili pepper to your preference.
Step 7
Add 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds for a nutty aroma and 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Drizzling the sesame oil at the end helps preserve its fresh fragrance.
Step 8
Add 4-5 tablespoons of gochujang-based chili sauce (cho-gochujang) to season the salad. Adjust the amount based on the saltiness and sweetness of your cho-gochujang. It’s recommended to add it gradually and taste as you go.
Step 9
Gently but thoroughly mix all the ingredients and seasoning together. Be careful not to mash the squid or vegetables; the goal is to evenly coat everything.
Step 10
This seasoned raw squid salad is delicious on its own. For an even more delightful experience, serve it wrapped in fresh lettuce or perilla leaves. It makes for a fantastic side dish or a perfect accompaniment to drinks.
