Tender Calamari Salad with Zesty Oriental Dressing
Tender Calamari Salad: The Delightful Chewiness of Calamari Perfectly Complemented by a Refreshing Oriental Dressing!
Calamari is a fantastic ingredient for a healthy diet, isn’t it? When combined with salad greens and cherry tomatoes, it’s not only delicious but also incredibly beneficial for weight management. Drizzled with a vibrant oriental dressing, this salad offers a refreshingly tangy flavor that’s truly captivating. Enjoy a plate full of this delightful calamari salad for a light and satisfying meal.
Basic Salad Ingredients- 1 whole squid (approx. 200g)
- 1 handful of celery or assorted salad greens (e.g., lettuce, romaine)
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 yellow bell pepper
- 6 cherry tomatoes
Oriental Dressing Ingredients- 5 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 pinches black pepper
- 5 Tbsp olive oil
- 3 Tbsp soy sauce
- 2 Tbsp lemon juice
- 2 Tbsp honey
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 2 pinches black pepper
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the squid by removing its skin and rinsing it thoroughly under cold water. To easily peel the squid’s skin, use a paper towel. Grip the skin firmly with the paper towel and gently pull it away from the body.
Step 2
On the inside of the squid’s body, score the flesh in a crosshatch pattern using a knife. Then, cut the squid body and tentacles into bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces that are not too small to ensure a pleasant chew.
Step 3
Now, let’s blanch the cut squid in boiling water to tenderize it. Here’s a special tip for achieving perfectly tender and chewy squid: Add the squid to boiling water and cook for just about 2-3 minutes, then turn off the heat. Let it rest in the residual heat for another 5 minutes. This process will result in incredibly tender and delicious squid.
Step 4
Time to prepare the salad vegetables. Slice the yellow bell pepper into bite-sized pieces after removing the seeds. For the cucumber, you can peel it or leave the skin on, then scoop out the seeds and cut it into similar-sized pieces. For the celery stalks, tear them lengthwise or chop them into manageable pieces. Rinse the salad greens under cold water and gently pat them dry.
Step 5
Let’s make the zesty oriental dressing. In a bowl, combine 5 tablespoons of olive oil, 3 tablespoons of soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of refreshing lemon juice, and 2 tablespoons of sweet honey (or corn syrup). Add 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 2 generous pinches of coarse black pepper. Whisk everything together until well combined. Feel free to adjust the sweetness and tanginess to your personal preference.
Step 6
Arrange the prepared salad greens, cucumber, and bell pepper attractively on a large serving plate. Place the cherry tomatoes in the center for a pop of color. Generously top with the tender, blanched squid. Drizzle the delightful oriental dressing all over the salad. Alternatively, you can serve the dressing on the side. And just like that, a healthy and flavorful calamari salad is ready! Squid is known for being low in calories and high in protein, making it an excellent choice for a healthy diet. We highly recommend making this delicious and nutritious calamari salad often.
