Tiếng Việt
ไทยStir-fried squid with kohlrabi is one of those dishes that, just by hearing the name, brings a sense of freshness and comfort. Not fussy or complicated, with just a few familiar ingredients, you can immediately have a crispy, delicious, lightly fragrant stir-fry that perfectly suits many people’s palates.
In this article, Ola Squid will provide detailed instructions on the steps to make stir-fried squid with kohlrabi quickly and easily, along with tips to make the dish taste just right.
Preparing ingredients for stir-fried squid with kohlrabi
To achieve the perfect standard for this dish, the ingredients must be carefully selected, especially fresh squid and crisp, sweet kohlrabi. Every ingredient, even the smallest, contributes to shaping the soul of the dish.
- Fresh squid: 300-400g (suitable for a serving of 3-4 people)
- Kohlrabi: 2 medium-sized bulbs
- Carrot: 1 bulb
- Green onions, coriander: a little to create aroma and color
- Seasonings: quality fish sauce, ground pepper, salt, cooking oil
A small tip: The ingredients may seem simple, but choosing the right level of freshness determines the crispness and sweetness of the dish. The squid must be fresh and clear, the kohlrabi firm to the touch, and the carrot not wilted to ensure natural freshness and sweetness.
Instructions for ingredient preparation
Cleaning the squid and removing fishy odors
Preparing the squid is an important step that determines the overall flavor of the dish. Even if the squid is fresh, if it is not handled correctly, it can easily affect the taste.
First, separate the body and the head of the squid, removing the ink sac as well as the internal cartilage. To eliminate the fishy odor, use a mixture of salt + crushed ginger + a little white wine. This mixture not only cleans the slime from the squid but also helps the squid meat become firm, white, and beautiful.
If you choose squid tubes, you can score a few lines on the body so that when stir-frying, the squid absorbs seasonings more easily. As for bigfin reef squid, cut it into bite-sized pieces to avoid it becoming tough during the stir-frying process.
Preparing kohlrabi and other vegetables
Kohlrabi is the second main ingredient, providing a very pleasant natural crispness and sweetness.
- You need to peel it carefully until you see the light green flesh inside.
- When slicing, you can julienne it or cut it into half-moons depending on your preference, but keep a thickness of about 0.3–0.5cm so that it doesn’t get mushy after stir-frying.
- For the carrot, simply peel and julienne. Adding carrot not only makes the dish more attractive but also slightly increases the refreshing sweetness.
- Coriander and green onions just need to be washed, drained, and cut into sections.
Steps to cook stir-fried squid with kohlrabi perfectly
Step 1: Marinating and stir-frying the squid
After preparing the squid, marinate it lightly with fish sauce, sugar, and a bit of soup powder. The ratio doesn’t need to be too complex: ½ tablespoon of fish sauce, ½ tablespoon of sugar, and a pinch of soup powder is enough.
In a hot pan, add a little oil and sauté some shallots until fragrant. Then add the squid and stir-fry quickly. At this point, the squid will firm up, release a fragrant aroma, and turn slightly opaque. You need to stir-fry over high heat to “keep the juice inside the squid body,” not letting the squid leak water which would make the dish bland and lose its inherent crispness.
Step 2: Stir-frying kohlrabi and vegetables
In another pan, add a little oil, then add the kohlrabi and stir evenly. A small tip: adding a little salt right from the start helps the kohlrabi maintain its natural crispness. When the kohlrabi has just come to a light boil (if you blanch it with a little water), pour it out into a basket and rinse with cold water so the kohlrabi doesn’t get too soft.
Finally, add the carrot to stir-fry with the kohlrabi for 2–3 minutes so these two ingredients reach just the right level of cooked crispness.
Step 3: Finishing and seasoning
Once all ingredients have been cooked separately, put the squid and kohlrabi into a large pan together. Stir-fry over medium heat and stir well so the flavors blend together.
Season with some ground pepper, and you can add a little MSG or seasoning seeds depending on your family’s taste. When the entire mixture becomes homogeneous, smelling strongly of characteristic kohlrabi and the light taste of sea squid, you can turn off the heat.
Sprinkle more green onions and coriander to make the stir-fried squid with kohlrabi more complete in flavor.
Secrets to stir-frying squid and kohlrabi to be crispy and not tough
Controlling heat and stir-fry time
One of the “golden secrets” to keeping squid from being tough is the fast, strong stir-frying action over high heat. If stir-fried for too long, the squid will shrink, harden, and lose water.
As for the kohlrabi, the key point lies in the time. You should only stir-fry just enough for the kohlrabi to be cooked through while still maintaining its crispness and not leaking water. When combining the two ingredients, always keep the heat at medium or high to avoid steaming, which loses the natural crispness.
Tips to help squid not release water and maintain crispness
To prevent squid from releasing water, you should not marinate with too many seasonings right from the beginning, especially salt or fish sauce. These types of seasonings easily cause the squid to release water when meeting heat. Instead, marinate very little or season when it is almost finished.
Additionally, you can blanch the squid in boiling water for about 20–30 seconds before stir-frying. This method helps the squid firm up, reducing the possibility of releasing water during the stir-frying process.
Attractive variations of stir-fried squid with kohlrabi
Spicy stir-fried squid with kohlrabi
This version is dedicated to enthusiasts of pungent spicy flavors and that “burst of taste” feeling right from the first bite. Simply add sliced fresh chili, Korean chili powder, or even shrimp sate to increase the aroma, and you will immediately have a stir-fry with a much more intense character.
Kohlrabi inherently has a mild sweetness and refreshing crispness; when combined with the crunchy squid, it creates a perfect base for the spicy flavor to spread without being harsh. Interestingly, the more you stir-fry on high heat, the more the spicy taste blends evenly, helping the dish become powerful, heart-warming, and very suitable for cold days or meals that need a true “rice-puller” dish.
See more: Recipe for making stir-fried squid with kohlrabi crisp, sweet, and quickly at home
Mixed stir-fried squid with kohlrabi
If you want a dish full of color, nutrition, and rich in texture, then the mixed stir-fried kohlrabi version is the ideal choice.
The combination of fresh squid, kohlrabi, carrots, mushrooms, onions, and celery not only brings harmony in flavor but also creates a “multi-layered” sensation when enjoying. Kohlrabi and carrots provide crispness; mushrooms bring a natural umami taste; onions add sweetness; celery creates a characteristic aroma, making the dish burst with life.
Especially when stir-frying with correct technique, high heat, and fast movement without letting the squid release water, the dish will maintain its clarity, shine, and crispness. This is also a great choice for large family meals due to its versatility and ease of eating; everyone will find the flavor agreeable.
Other delicious stir-fried dishes from squid and kohlrabi
Stir-fried squid with celery and garlic
Stir-fried squid with celery and garlic is the perfect choice for those who love bold and pungent flavors. Crunchy fresh squid is stir-fried quickly with lush green celery, onions, and golden fried garlic, creating a dish that is both fragrant and heart-warming.
The slight spiciness of pepper along with the characteristic aroma of celery makes the dish very suitable for chilly days or when you want to refresh the family meal.
Stir-fried kohlrabi with beef
Stir-fried kohlrabi with beef is a “valuable” dish thanks to the balanced combination of vegetables and animal protein. Thinly sliced kohlrabi stir-fried until just cooked maintains its crunchiness, blending with the soft, sweet, and flavorful beef.
This is a very nutritious dish, providing plenty of protein, fiber, and vitamins, suitable for adults, children, people on diets, or those needing to supplement energy.
Stir-fried squid with mushrooms
Stir-fried squid with mushrooms brings a light, gentle yet no less attractive flavor. Fresh squid is paired with mushrooms such as shiitake, straw mushrooms, or king oyster mushrooms, creating natural sweetness and a subtle aroma.
This dish is very suitable for those who want to eat healthy because it is low in fat, easy to digest, and rich in nutrients from mushrooms.
Stir-fried kohlrabi with eggs
Stir-fried kohlrabi with eggs is a simple, quick stir-fry dish that is easily “addictive.” Shredded kohlrabi stir-fried with chicken eggs creates a soft, crispy, and sweet combination that is very harmonious.
The dish is economical, easy to make, and extremely suitable for busy mornings, light lunches, or times when you are “stuck” for cooking ideas.
Stir-fried squid with kohlrabi is not sophisticated but it is very easy to please the whole family thanks to its light, easy-to-eat taste and not being greasy at all. With just a little preparation time and mastering a few tips when stir-frying, you can create a delicious stir-fry with harmonious colors that retains the full natural crispness of each ingredient.
If you want to explore more delicious dishes from squid or find quality seafood sources to cook with more peace of mind, you can visit the Ola Squid’s culinary blog. In addition to fresh squid for stir-fries, you can also explore our premium whole dried squid products for more diverse culinary creations. Wishing you always find new inspiration in the kitchen and have great meals with your family!
