Spicy and Sweet Stir-Fried Squid Recipe
Baek Jong-won Style Stir-Fried Squid! Make it with Your Fridge Contents and a Secret Recipe
I finally got to cook at home after a long time! Thanks to my husband who usually eats at work, I haven’t had many chances to cook lately. With no rice in the house, I decided to raid the fridge and make stir-fried squid. I initially tried to follow Baek Jong-won’s recipe, but my fridge wasn’t well-stocked, so I ended up making it my own way. Despite the modifications, it turned out to be a delicious success! The tender squid with scored skin, the crisp vegetables, and the perfectly balanced spicy-sweet sauce make this dish a perfect partner for rice. It’s so good, I found myself sneaking bites while it was cooking!
Main Ingredients
- 1 Carrot (julienned)
- 1 Onion (julienned)
- 2 Korean Green Chilies (sliced diagonally)
- 1/2 Green Onion (sliced diagonally)
- 2 Squid (mantle, cleaned and scored)
Seasoning
- 6 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- A pinch of Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds
- 6 Tbsp Soy Sauce
- 3 Tbsp Gochugaru (Korean chili flakes)
- 2 Tbsp Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
- 2 Tbsp Sugar
- 1 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 3 Tbsp Cooking Oil
- A pinch of Sesame Oil
- A pinch of Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash and prepare all the vegetables for the stir-fried squid. Peel the carrot and onion, then julienne them into about 0.5cm thickness. Slice the Korean green chilies diagonally to add a spicy kick, and diagonally slice the green onion to infuse its aroma.
Step 2
For the cleaned squid, score the inside of the mantle in a diamond pattern. This helps the sauce penetrate better and makes the squid look more appealing when cooked. Cut the squid into bite-sized pieces, about 2cm wide. If using frozen squid, thaw it and pat it dry before using.
Step 3
Heat the cooking oil in a pan over low heat. Add the sliced green onions and sauté until fragrant, creating a fragrant green onion oil. This step is a tip from Baek Jong-won! Sautéing the green onions first infuses their savory flavor into the oil, enhancing the overall deliciousness of the dish. Cook for about 1 minute.
Step 4
Once the green onion oil is fragrant, add the scored squid. Sprinkle the sugar over the squid and stir-fry briefly. Adding sugar first helps the squid absorb the sauce better and become more tender. Stir-fry for about 1-2 minutes until the squid turns opaque and starts to cook.
Step 5
In a separate bowl, mix all the seasoning ingredients together. Combine minced garlic, gochugaru, gochujang, and soy sauce. Having the seasoning mix ready beforehand will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 6
Once the squid is partially cooked, add all the prepared vegetables (carrots, onions, green chilies) to the pan. Stir-fry with the squid for about 1 minute, just until the vegetables begin to soften slightly.
Step 7
Now, add the pre-mixed seasoning sauce to the pan. Stir everything well to ensure the ingredients are evenly coated with the sauce. To prevent the sauce from burning and to keep the dish moist, add about 1 cup (180ml) of water. Continue to stir-fry over medium heat until the ingredients and sauce are well combined.
Step 8
Continue to stir-fry until the sauce thickens slightly and coats all the ingredients. Cooking over high heat for a short period is recommended to keep the squid tender and the vegetables crisp. Stir-fry for about 3-4 minutes, ensuring the scored squid cooks nicely.
Step 9
As it begins to bubble, the irresistible aroma will make you want to taste it. Taste and adjust seasoning as needed. Be careful not to overcook, as squid can release water. This dish is delicious served over rice or eaten on its own.
Step 10
Just before turning off the heat, drizzle in a little sesame oil for an extra nutty aroma. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds for a final touch. I prefer my stir-fried squid slightly saucy, so I cooked it a bit longer. Mixing rice with this delicious sauce is heavenly!
