Chewy Squid Fried Rice: A Flavorful and Satisfying Meal
Squid Fried Rice [Stir-fried with Chewy Squid! A Nutritious Fried Rice Packed with Umami and Texture!]
Squid, known for its wonderfully chewy texture, is an incredibly versatile ingredient. Did you know that the taurine in squid is great for relieving fatigue? It’s a good idea to enjoy it often! Today, we’ve made a fried rice that lets you easily experience the chewiness and savory flavor of squid. I also added zucchini from the fridge, and the two ingredients pair surprisingly well! I make fried rice very often, but I never get tired of it. Perhaps it’s because it can taste so different depending on the ingredients used?
Main Ingredients- 1/2 squid (use both body and tentacles)
- 1/2 onion
- 10cm piece of zucchini
- 5cm piece of carrot
- 1/3 stalk of green onion
- 1.5 cups cooked rice
- 1/2 tbsp minced garlic
Seasoning for Fried Rice- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp cooking wine (like mirin)
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
- 3 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp oyster sauce
- 2 tbsp cooking wine (like mirin)
- 1/2 tbsp sugar
- 1 tbsp sesame oil
- 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 1/2 squid. Remove the innards and quill, then wash thoroughly after peeling off the skin. To peel the skin easily, wrap the squid with a paper towel and gently pull it off.
Step 2
Finely mince the cleaned squid, using both the body and tentacles. Mince them to a relatively small size so they integrate well into the fried rice.
Step 3
Finely chop the zucchini (10cm), carrot (5cm), onion (1/2), and green onion (1/3) to a similar size as the squid. You can use other vegetables you have in your fridge or adjust them according to your preference. Chopping the vegetables finely helps them mix well with the rice.
Step 4
In a bowl, combine 3 tbsp soy sauce, 1 tbsp oyster sauce, 2 tbsp cooking wine, 1/2 tbsp sugar, and 1 tbsp sesame oil. Mix well to create the seasoning sauce for the fried rice. Do not add the sesame seeds yet; they are for garnish at the end.
Step 5
Heat a pan over medium heat and add cooking oil. Add the minced garlic and chopped green onion, and stir-fry until fragrant. Sautéing these aromatics first will significantly enhance the flavor of your fried rice.
Step 6
Once the green onion becomes fragrant, add the carrots first, as they take the longest to cook among the vegetables. Stir-fry them until they become slightly translucent.
Step 7
Next, add the zucchini and onion and stir-fry together. Cook until the onion becomes transparent and the zucchini is slightly softened. (Tip: If you forgot to add the onion earlier, you can add it at this stage and stir-fry.)
Step 8
Once the vegetables are partially cooked, add the minced squid and stir-fry. Cook until the squid turns from red to opaque. (Tip: If you added the onion later, stir-fry it along with the squid now.)
Step 9
Add 1.5 cups of cooked rice to the pan. Drizzle the prepared seasoning sauce evenly over the rice. Use a spatula to break up any clumps of rice and stir-fry thoroughly, ensuring the sauce, vegetables, and squid are well combined. Continue to stir-fry until each grain of rice is coated with the seasoning.
Step 10
Stir-fry until all ingredients are well mixed and the rice is fluffy. Finally, drizzle with 1 tbsp sesame oil and sprinkle with 1/2 tbsp sesame seeds, then give it a final toss. Your delicious squid fried rice is ready! The combination of chewy squid and soft zucchini is exceptional. It’s a simple yet nutritious one-bowl meal, perfect for any occasion.
