Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Squid (Baek Jong-won Style)
Baek Jong-won’s Stir-Fried Squid Recipe: Follow This Exactly for Perfect Flavor!
I brought home some squid from the supermarket after a long time. The price of squid is often exorbitant, making it a rare treat, but this time it was on sale, so I quickly grabbed some! Nowadays, when I buy groceries, I always think about what my child will eat. Although we enjoyed this dish spicy with Baek Jong-won’s recipe, I made a milder vegetable stir-fry for my child, and we all three had a delicious meal. I made Baek Jong-won’s recipe for stir-fried squid after a while, and as always, it’s a taste you can trust! I’ve been craving something spicy and sweet lately, and one bite confirmed this was it! Let me share this stir-fried squid recipe that’s perfect for a hot day, offering a deliciously spicy and refreshing flavor! I made it as a stir-fry to enjoy over rice, but you can serve it as is or as a rice bowl, depending on your preference.
Main Ingredients- 2 squid
- A small piece of cabbage
- A small piece of carrot
- 1 stalk green onion
- 1/2 onion
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables for the stir-fried squid. Chop the cabbage, carrot, and onion into bite-sized pieces. Prepare the green onion in two ways: finely chop some for making scallion oil, and cut the rest into longer strips to be stir-fried with the other ingredients. If you enjoy a spicier kick, you can add 1-2 chopped Cheongyang peppers.
Step 2
Heat a generous amount of cooking oil in a pan over low heat. Add the finely chopped green onions (for scallion oil) and stir-fry until fragrant. Gently sautéing the green onions until their aroma is released is crucial for building a deep flavor base for the dish.
Step 3
Once the scallion oil is fragrant, add the squid, cut into manageable pieces, and stir-fry over high heat. As the squid begins to cook, add 1 tablespoon of sugar and continue to stir-fry. The sugar helps to enhance the squid’s natural sweetness and aids in the absorption of the sauce.
Step 4
Next, add 1 tablespoon of minced garlic and 1 tablespoon of Gochujang (Korean chili paste). Stir-fry these with the squid until well combined. Then, add 5 tablespoons of soy sauce and 3 tablespoons of Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes), continuing to stir-fry so the seasonings coat the squid evenly.
Step 5
The mixture might seem a bit thick at this point. Add 1/2 cup of water and stir well to prevent the sauce from burning, while ensuring everything is incorporated. The water will help to create a smoother sauce and allow all the ingredients to meld together harmoniously.
Step 6
Now, add all the prepared vegetables: cabbage, carrot, onion, and the longer strips of green onion. Stir-fry over high heat until the vegetables are slightly tender but still retain some crispness, and they are well combined with the squid and sauce. Avoid overcooking the vegetables, as this can release too much water.
Step 7
Once all the ingredients are cooked and the sauce has coated everything beautifully, drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil and give it a final quick stir. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for garnish if desired. This completes your delicious stir-fried squid! Serve it over a bowl of freshly cooked rice for a satisfying meal.
