How to Make Authentic Crunchy Dried Squid and Ambarella Salad in Simple Steps

Dried squidambarella salad is a familiar snack featuring an enticing combination of crunchy sour young ambarella fruit, chewy and aromatic dried squid, and a rich, spicy-sour dressing. Without fancy ingredients, you can easily make this salad at home with just a few simple steps. In the article below, Ola Squid will guide you on how to make dried squid ambarella salad from selecting ingredients and preparation to mixing the dressing so that the ambarella remains crunchy, the squid fragrant, and the flavors well-balanced.

Ingredients for dried squid ambarella salad

To keep the dried squid ambarella salad crispy and harmonious in flavor, you should choose young ambarella with just the right level of sourness along with top-quality dried squid. The recipe below is suitable for about 2-3 people, with a preparation time of around 15 minutes and a cooking time of about 10 minutes. The ingredients include:

How to choose ambarella: You should choose young ambarella or tiny ambarella with green skin, firm fruits, free from bruises, and offering a mildly sour, crunchy taste when bitten. Avoid overly ripe fruits that are fibrous or mushy, as they will make the salad less appealing.

How to choose dried squid: Prioritize squid with a natural pinkish-white color, dry body, a thin layer of white powder, and a characteristic aroma. Avoid squid with a foul odor, overly dark color, or signs of mold.

How to make bold, spicy, and sour dried squid ambarella salad

By simply preparing the ingredients correctly and mixing the dressing in the right proportions, you will achieve a crispy and flavorful dried squid ambarella salad. The steps are quite simple, you just need to:

Step 1 – Prepare young ambarella and dried squid

Wash the ambarella, peel them, and cut them in half or slice them thinly as desired. Soak the ambarella in ice water for about 5-10 minutes to maintain crispiness, then take them out and drain. Remove the head or backbone of the dried squid if necessary before grilling.

Step 2 – Grill and shred the dried squid

Grill the dried squid over a charcoal stove, gas stove, or in an air fryer at medium heat until the squid releases its aroma and curves slightly. Do not grill for too long, or the squid will become dry, tough, and difficult to shred. Let the squid cool down slightly, gently pound it to soften, and then shred it into bite-sized strips.

Step 3 – Mix the salad dressing

Put fish sauce, sugar, and lime juice into a bowl and stir until the sugar dissolves. Continue adding minced garlic and chili, and adjust to taste so that the dressing achieves a balanced salty, sweet, sour, and spicy profile. If the ambarella is already quite sour, you can reduce the amount of lime juice to prevent the salad from becoming overly sharp.

Step 4 – Toss the salad and plate

Place the ambarella, shredded dried squid, and Vietnamese coriander into a large bowl, slowly drizzle the dressing over, and toss gently so the seasoning coats evenly. Finally, top with roasted peanuts and fried shallots to enhance the nutty, fragrant, and crunchy texture. You should mix just enough to eat and enjoy immediately so the ambarella does not release too much water, keeping the dried squid chewy and aromatic.

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Tips for a better salad

To ensure your dried squid ambarella salad stays crispy, chewy, fragrant, and harmoniously spicy and sour, you can apply a few small tips during preparation below.

How to grill squid so it is fragrant and not tough

Dried squid should only be grilled at medium heat until the body curves slightly and emits a fragrant aroma. After grilling, gently pound the squid and shred it to make it softer and easier to mix. Avoid grilling too long, as the squid will lose much of its moisture and become hard, chewy, and difficult to eat.

How to handle overly sour ambarella

If the ambarella has a harsh sour taste, you can quickly soak it in ice water and drain it before mixing. When making the dressing, slightly increase the amount of sugar and reduce the lime juice to balance the flavor. This trick helps the salad retain its signature sourness without being overly sharp.

How to adjust the dressing to your taste

The dressing largely determines the flavor of the salad, so it needs a balance among sour, spicy, salty, and sweet. If you like a bolder flavor, you can add a little more fish sauce; if you want a milder taste, add more sugar or reduce the chili. You should taste the dressing first before pouring it over the salad to easily adjust it to your family’s palate.

Toppings to make the salad tastier

A bit of roasted peanuts, fried shallots, and Vietnamese coriander will give the salad extra nuttiness, crunch, and fragrance. If you want to vary it, you can add green mango, red onion, or preferred herbs. However, you should add the toppings near the end to maintain their crunch and aroma when enjoying.

Frequently asked questions

How long can dried squid ambarella salad last?

Dried squid ambarella salad is best when eaten immediately after tossing to preserve the crispiness of the ambarella and the chewy aroma of the squid. If you cannot finish it, you should put the salad in a tight container, store it in the refrigerator’s chiller compartment, and consume it within 24 hours. However, the ambarella may release water after mixing, so the salad will no longer be as crispy and delicious as when freshly made.

Does dried squid need to be boiled beforehand?

No need to boil dried squid before making the salad. You only need to grill the squid until it emits a fragrant aroma, then gently pound and shred it into bite-sized strips. Boiling can cause the squid to absorb water, reducing the chewiness and distinctive flavor of the dried squid.

Can ambarella be substituted with other ingredients?

You can completely substitute ambarella with green mango, cucumber, or tiny ambarella depending on your preference. Green mango has a similar sour and crunchy texture, cucumber brings a fresher taste, while tiny ambarella retains its characteristic sour and crunchy flavor. When substituting ingredients, you should adjust the amount of sugar and lime juice so that the dressing maintains a harmonious flavor.

Hopefully, with this how to make dried squid ambarella salad guide, you have gained another spicy-sour, crunchy, and aromatic snack to easily prepare at home. If you want to enjoy delicious, high-quality dried squid, you can explore products from Ola Squid with diverse choices, suitable for grilling, making salads, or processing into many other appealing dishes.