Tiếng Việt
ไทยStir-fried squid with cucumber is a familiar dish in Vietnamese daily meals, offering a harmonious combination of seafood and vegetables. This dish provides high-quality protein, vitamins, and minerals essential for health. Stir-fried squid with cucumber not only helps to cool the body but also supports the immune system thanks to the selenium from the squid and potassium from the cucumber.
Preparing ingredients for stir-fried squid with cucumber
To have a delicious and authentic stir-fried squid with cucumber, preparing the ingredients plays an extremely important role. A good stir-fried squid dish is a perfect blend of the mild sweetness of fresh squid, the crunchy freshness of cucumber, and the alluring aroma of fried garlic along with various vegetables.
Required ingredients:
- Fresh squid: 300g (it is recommended to choose tube squid or small, fresh, and crunchy bigfin reef squid).
- Cucumber: 1/2 fruit, choose a medium-sized one with a fresh green skin, few seeds, and thinly sliced.
- Tomato: 1 fruit, quartered (to add color and a mild sour taste).
- Pineapple: 1/2 fruit, peeled and cut into bite-sized pieces.
- White onion: 1 bulb, cut into wedges.
- Scallions and celery: cut into bite-sized segments.
- Minced garlic: 3 cloves.
- Seasonings: 1 tablespoon of sugar, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, a little MSG, pepper, and 2 tablespoons of cooking oil.
It may look simple, but the ratio of seasonings and the proper stir-frying technique will determine whether the final result is authentic or not.
Tips for choosing and preparing fresh ingredients
How to choose fresh squid
For a delicious and authentic stir-fried squid with cucumber, the first step is to select fresh squid.
- Fresh squid has shiny skin, and the body is bright and slightly translucent.
- When touching it, you can feel the good elasticity of the squid meat.
- The squid eyes are clear, not cloudy or yellowish.
A small tip: if you choose tube squid, pay attention to the outer membrane; if it is intact and not torn, it means the squid was recently caught. Conversely, if the squid has a strong fishy smell and the body is mushy, you should avoid it because it is old squid. If you prefer long-term convenience, you can also explore our premium dried squid products at OlaSquid.
Fresh squid is the soul of the dish; if the squid is not of high quality, no matter how skillful you are in stir-frying, the dish will lack the signature crunch and sweetness of squid.
How to choose crunchy, non-bitter cucumber
Cucumber is the second equally important ingredient.
- Choose fruits with light green skin, glossy appearance, few seeds, and moderate size.
- Young cucumbers are usually crunchier and sweeter, while old ones are often spongy, watery, and bitter.
An interesting folk tip: when buying cucumbers, snap the stem slightly; if you see clear juice, smell a mild fragrance, and there is no cloudy sap, it is fresh cucumber. Also, avoid choosing fruits that are excessively curved or have yellow spots, as these are signs that the cucumber has wilted.
Delicious cucumber will help the stir-fried squid with cucumber maintain its freshness, mild sweetness, and crunchy sensation in every bite.
Instructions for preparing clean, non-fishy squid
The preparation step for the squid is the decisive factor in the overall flavor.
- First, separate the head and body of the squid, remove the black ink sac inside (if left behind, it will make the dish bitter and fishy).
- Wash the squid with diluted saltwater mixed with a few slices of ginger or white vinegar to completely remove the fishy smell.
- Next, peel off the thin membrane on the outside of the squid body to help the squid look white and beautiful, and prevent it from shrinking when stir-fried.
- Cut the squid into rings or bite-sized pieces, scoring the surface lightly so it curls up attractively when cooked.
A secret from professional chefs: blanch the squid in boiling water with ginger for 30 seconds before stir-frying. This method helps the squid become firm, crunchy, and prevents water release during cooking.
How to prepare cucumber to avoid watery stir-fry
To ensure the stir-fried squid with cucumber is not bland or watery, you should process the cucumber correctly. After slicing, sprinkle a little salt, let it sit for about 5 minutes to release some water, then rinse quickly with cold water. This method helps the cucumber stay crunchy, retain its green color, and not become mushy when stir-fried.
Do not skip this step, because even a small oversight can cause the liquid released from the cucumber to “ruin” the dish, making the squid soggy and significantly diluting the flavor.
Steps to make authentic stir-fried squid with cucumber
Step 1: Marinate the squid. Mix the prepared squid with minced shallots, minced garlic, minced ginger, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of seasoning powder, and a dash of pepper. Marinate for about 15 minutes to let it absorb the flavors.
Step 2: Stir-fry seasonings. Place a pan on the stove, heat 2 tablespoons of cooking oil, and fry the remaining garlic and shallots until fragrant. Add the squid and stir-fry quickly over high heat for about 2-3 minutes until the squid is firm.
Step 3: Add cucumber. Put the sliced cucumber into the pan and stir evenly. Add oyster sauce, MSG, and adjust seasonings to taste. Stir-fry for another 2 minutes so the cucumber is cooked but still crunchy and not mushy.
Step 4: Complete. Sprinkle chopped scallions and cilantro on top, stir one last time, and turn off the heat. Serve on a plate and enjoy while hot with white rice.
Secrets to a crunchy and savory stir-fried squid with cucumber
How to ensure the squid is perfectly cooked, crunchy, and not rubbery?
The secret lies in temperature and time. Squid only needs to be stir-fried over high heat for 1–2 minutes to be cooked. If stir-fried for too long, the protein in the squid contracts, making it as chewy as “rubber”. To maintain its crunch, you can blanch the squid in boiling water with a little ginger and white wine, then soak it immediately in ice water before stir-frying to ensure the squid is both white and crunchy.
Seasoning perfectly to taste
A good stir-fried dish must have balanced flavors. For stir-fried squid with cucumber, you should add a little more sugar to neutralize the saltiness of the salt and the sourness of the pineapple or tomato. Always taste while stir-frying, as each type of squid and vegetable has different natural sweetness.
If you prefer the savory taste typical of the South, you can add a dash of high-quality fish sauce at the very end when turning off the heat; the rising aroma will make the dish even more appealing.
Delicious variations of stir-fried squid with cucumber
Stir-fried squid with cucumber and tomato
If you love a mild, refreshing sour taste, try varying your stir-fried squid with cucumber using tomatoes. When stir-fried, tomatoes release a mild sour juice, making the dish softer. Combined with onions, this dish is perfect when eaten with hot white rice.
Stir-fried squid with cucumber and pineapple
Another extremely attractive variation is stir-fried squid with cucumber and pineapple. The natural sweet and sour taste of pineapple not only helps balance the flavors but also gives the dish a signature aroma. When stir-frying, add a few slices of fresh ginger and a bit of pineapple juice, and you will have an incredibly fragrant dish. Don’t forget, if you want to explore more high-quality seafood, you can visit our shop for the best products.
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Suggestions for other vegetables that can be combined
Besides cucumber, you can combine squid with many other vegetables to create novelty:
- Celery, onions, bell peppers: for a vibrant color and aromatic flavor.
- Broccoli or carrots: to increase the crunchiness and nutrition.
- Ginger or lemongrass: to enhance the fragrance, mask the fishy smell, and aid digestion.
Each combination is a different symphony of flavors, making stir-fried squid never boring.
Stir-fried squid with cucumber is a simple dish but requires sophistication in every stage. From choosing ingredients and preparation to the stir-frying method, all require meticulousness. A dish that is both beautiful and delicious, yet refreshing, deserves to be present in the family meal. Explore our dried squid snacks for more delicious inspirations.
If you want to see more delicious seafood recipes, don’t forget to visit the Culinary Corner of Ola Squid!
