Delicious Garlic Chili Braised Squid Recipe: Rich & Tempting

Looking for a delicious and flavorful dish to spice up your family meals? Then spicy garlic squid is the perfect suggestion for you. Crispy and chewy squid pieces, combined with fragrant garlic and a mild spiciness from chili, will make you unable to stop eating. Let’s discover how to make this attractive dish right at home in the article below!

1. Introduction to Spicy Garlic Squid

Spicy garlic squid is a delicious yet incredibly attractive dish, loved by many for its rich flavor and distinct spicy taste. Each piece of chewy squid blends with the spiciness of chili, the fragrance of garlic, and the sweetness of fresh squid, creating an unforgettable flavor. This dish is not only suitable as a snack to enjoy with friends but also a very appetizing dish, perfect for family meals.

2. Nutritional Value of Squid

Squid is a nutritious seafood, not only delicious but also offering many health benefits. 100g of dried squid contains:

• Protein: A high content helps build and repair muscles, boosting the body’s energy.
• Fat: Squid contains very little fat, primarily unsaturated fat, which is good for cardiovascular health, the circulatory system, and is suitable for people on a diet or managing their weight.
• Vitamins: Rich in vitamins B12, B6, A, and E, which help improve memory, support the nervous system, beautify the skin, enhance vision, and strengthen the immune system.
• Minerals: Fresh squid provides minerals such as iron, zinc, magnesium, and calcium, which are good for bone health and red blood cell production.
• Omega-3: Squid contains a small amount of omega-3, which helps support brain function, reduce bad cholesterol, and protect the heart. (According to shellfish.org.uk)

3. Secret to Choosing Fresh, Delicious Squid

To make a delicious tamarind squid dish, choosing the right ingredients is the first and most crucial factor. Fresh squid will help the dish retain its natural sweetness and characteristic chewy texture.

• Observe the color: Fresh squid has a natural dark brown color, a milky white body, and a shiny surface. Avoid squid that is pale or has an uneven color.
• Check for firmness: Press the squid’s body with your finger; if it quickly returns to its original shape, the squid is fresh. Soft, mushy squid that is slow to rebound is usually not fresh.

• Look at the eyes: Bright, clear eyes are a sign of freshness; dull or cloudy eyes indicate the squid is less fresh.
• Check the tentacles: Tentacles that are round and firmly attached to the squid’s body indicate freshness; if the tentacles are detached or loose, the squid has lost its freshness.

4. Ingredients Needed for Spicy Garlic Squid

Here are the ingredients you need to prepare to make spicy garlic squid:

• 600g fresh squid
• Seasonings: 3 tablespoons fish sauce, 2 tablespoons sugar, 2 tablespoons seasoning powder, chili sauce, and ground pepper
• Scallions, garlic, chili, ginger

5. How to Make Spicy Garlic Squid

5.1. Prepare Squid and Other Ingredients

• When you buy fresh squid, make a light cut along the body, remove the insides and the backbone, then rinse thoroughly.
• Prepare a pot of boiling water and add 1 teaspoon of salt, a few slices of ginger, and 2 tablespoons of white wine to completely remove any fishy smell and keep the squid crisp and white.
• Next, briefly boil the squid for about 3-4 minutes over high heat, then remove it and place it in a bowl of ice water. Soak the squid for about 20-30 minutes to firm up the meat.
• Peel, wash, and finely chop the garlic, chili, and shallots. Trim any wilted leaves from the scallions, wash them, and chop them finely.

5.2. Fry (or Stir-fry) the Squid

Lightly frying the squid will help retain its natural chewiness and firmness when braising, and also make the dish more appealing. Place a pan over the heat, add enough oil, and heat it up. When the oil is hot, add the squid and fry for about 4-5 minutes over medium heat, stirring constantly to ensure the squid is evenly cooked and slightly golden. Once the squid has firmed up, remove it to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.

5.3. Braise Squid with Sauce

• Place another pan over the heat with cooking oil and sauté the minced garlic, chili, and ginger until fragrant. Then, add the sauce mixture consisting of seasoning powder, fish sauce, chili sauce, sugar, ground pepper, and a little water.
• Stir continuously until the mixture is combined and starts to simmer gently. After that, add the fried squid to the pan, stir well so the squid absorbs the sauce evenly.
• Braise over low heat for about 5-7 minutes to allow the squid to absorb the flavors and become fragrant. When the sauce thickens, add the chopped scallions and fresh chili, stir a few more times, then turn off the heat.

5.4. Finished Dish

The finished spicy garlic squid dish has a glossy golden-brown color and a very appetizing aroma that stimulates the taste buds. Serve the squid on a plate and enjoy it with hot rice, green vegetables, or pickled vegetables; the dish becomes even more complete and appetizing.

6. Notes and Tips for a Tastier Spicy Garlic Squid Dish

To achieve the perfect rich and flavorful spicy garlic squid, pay attention to the following:

• Prioritize squid with bright bodies, firm flesh, and clear eyes. Besides tube squid, you can substitute with cuttlefish, egg squid, or baby squid depending on your preference.
• When preparing, rinse the squid with a mixture of white wine and crushed ginger to completely remove the fishy smell and help the squid retain its natural crispness.
• Preheat the pan before adding oil so that the squid does not release water and maintains its firmness when braising.

• Sauté the minced garlic and chili in hot oil until fragrant, then add the squid for the flavors to penetrate evenly and become more appealing.
• For a harmonious sweet and savory taste and a characteristic aroma, use pure fish sauce.

7. Other Similar Squid Rim Dishes

Besides the fresh spicy garlic squid dish above, you can create many other variations of braised squid dishes to change the flavor while still retaining the characteristic aroma of dried seafood. Here are two popular, easy-to-make, and well-loved variations:

7.1. Dried Squid Rim with Garlic and Chili

This dish is made from lightly grilled dried squid, then shredded, and finally braised with garlic, chili, sugar, and fish sauce. Each strand of squid is evenly coated with the seasoning, offering a pungent spicy taste mixed with a harmonious sweet and savory flavor, creating a uniquely chewy and crispy texture. Dried squid rim with garlic and chili is a favorite snack and an ideal beer accompaniment, easy to store, and can be taken on picnics.

7.2. Tamarind and Spicy Garlic Squid

If you want to try a more unique flavor, tamarind and spicy garlic squid is a dish you shouldn’t miss. The sauce is made from sour tamarind, sugar, fish sauce, and minced garlic and chili, creating an attractive sour, spicy, salty, and sweet taste. When braised, the tamarind sauce coats each piece of squid evenly, giving the dish a beautiful glossy color and an unforgettable rich flavor. This dish is perfect to enjoy with white rice on cool days.

8. Where to Buy Dried Squid for Spicy Garlic Squid

In addition to using fresh squid, you can completely make spicy garlic squid with dried squid for a richer flavor and easier storage. Dried squid, after being lightly grilled, becomes chewy, has a characteristic aroma, and when braised with garlic, chili, and fish sauce, creates an equally delicious spicy and sweet dish as fresh squid.

If you are looking for a reputable place to buy quality dried squid, Ola Squid is a reliable choice. At Ola Squid, squid is carefully selected from fresh catches from clean seas, then processed according to modern standards, ensuring the natural sweetness of the squid is preserved while meeting food safety and hygiene standards.

Furthermore, reasonable prices, convenient packaging, and nationwide delivery service make it easy for you to purchase delicious dried squid.

The article above has provided detailed instructions on how to make spicy garlic squid. We hope you can successfully apply and make this dish for your family meals. If you want to try making spicy garlic squid with high-quality dried squid, please contact Ola Squid immediately via phone number 0989.616.989 for consultation and detailed squid quotes!