Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Squid Rice Bowl
Mouthwatering Spicy and Sweet Stir-fried Squid Rice Bowl: An Easy Recipe for a Delicious Solo Meal
With just one squid and a variety of fresh vegetables, you can create a flavorful stir-fried dish that’s perfect as a side. If you have any leftover stir-fried squid, simply serve it over a bed of rice to transform it into a delicious and satisfying rice bowl. This dish is a fantastic way to enjoy a simple yet incredibly tasty meal.
Main Ingredients- 1 whole squid, cleaned (ink sac and bone removed)
- 1/3 carrot, thinly julienned
- 1 stalk of green onion, chopped or diagonally sliced
- 2 shiitake mushrooms, thickly julienned
- 1/2 onion, thickly julienned
- 2 Korean green chili peppers, seeds removed and finely chopped (adjust to your spice preference)
- A pinch of sesame seeds, for garnish
- 2 Tbsp cooking oil
- 60ml water
- 4 servings of warm cooked rice
Stir-fried Squid Seasoning- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic (approx. 1/2 tsp)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste, adjust to spice preference)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for color and heat)
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame seeds (for cooking)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for finishing)
- 2 Tbsp soy sauce
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic (approx. 1/2 tsp)
- 1 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 Tbsp gochujang (Korean chili paste, adjust to spice preference)
- 1 Tbsp gochugaru (Korean chili flakes, for color and heat)
- 0.5 Tbsp sesame seeds (for cooking)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil (for finishing)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the vegetables. Thinly julienne the carrot, shiitake mushrooms, and onion into similar lengths. Finely chop the green chili peppers. Having all your ingredients neatly prepped will make the cooking process much smoother.
Step 2
Cut the cleaned squid into pieces roughly the same length as the julienned vegetables. Avoid cutting them too thinly, as they will shrink when cooked. Aim for a moderate thickness.
Step 3
Heat a wok or deep skillet over medium heat and add 2 tablespoons of cooking oil. Add the chopped green onions and stir-fry until fragrant and lightly golden, creating an aromatic green onion oil. This step is key to enhancing the overall flavor of the dish.
Step 4
Once the green onion is fragrant, add the squid to the pan and stir-fry over high heat. Cook until the squid turns from translucent to opaque white. Be careful not to overcook, as this can make the squid tough and rubbery.
Step 5
When the squid is about half cooked, add 1 tablespoon of sugar and continue to stir-fry. The sugar will help to caramelize slightly and balance the spiciness of the sauce.
Step 6
Now it’s time to add the seasoning ingredients. Combine 2 tablespoons of soy sauce, 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic, 1.5 tablespoons of gochujang, and 1 tablespoon of gochugaru. Add these to the pan with the squid and stir-fry well until everything is evenly coated. You’ll smell the delicious spicy aroma rising.
Step 7
Once the seasoning has coated the squid, add the julienned shiitake mushrooms and carrots. Continue to stir-fry. The mushrooms and carrots will add a pleasant texture and absorb the flavors of the sauce.
Step 8
Pour in 60ml of water. As the sauce simmers and reduces, it will become more concentrated, coating the ingredients with a glossy finish and deepening the flavor of the stir-fried squid.
Step 9
When the vegetables are partially cooked, add the thickly julienned onion and chopped green chilies. Stir-fry quickly. The sweetness of the onion and the kick from the chilies will add complexity to the dish. Cook just until the onions become translucent.
Step 10
Finally, sprinkle in 0.5 tablespoon of sesame seeds and give it a quick stir to add a toasty, nutty flavor. This final stir-fry step completes the deliciousness of the squid mixture.
Step 11
Turn off the heat and drizzle in 1 tablespoon of sesame oil. Gently toss everything together to evenly distribute the fragrant sesame oil. Your delicious stir-fried squid is now ready!
Step 12
Serve the generous portion of stir-fried squid over a bowl of warm rice. Garnish with a sprinkle of sesame seeds if desired. You’ll have a beautiful and incredibly tasty squid rice bowl ready to be enjoyed. Bon appétit!
