How to Cook Fresh Squid Porridge – Fragrant and Naturally Sweet

Squid porridge is a beloved dish in many households, appreciated for its light, naturally sweet flavor, easy-to-eat texture, and rich nutritional content. To cook a pot of fragrant porridge with smooth, soft grains, a clear and sweet broth, and squid that still retains its natural tenderness, the cook needs to know how to properly prepare, marinate, and add the squid at the right moment. In this article, Ola Squid will provide a detailed guide on how to cook squid porridge simply at home, along with useful tips to make the dish even more appealing.

What Are the Health Benefits of Fresh Squid Porridge?

Fresh squid porridge is a delicious and nutritious dish, suitable for nourishing the body and replenishing energy on a daily basis.

• Rich source of protein: Fresh squid contains high levels of protein along with many minerals such as calcium, iron, zinc, phosphorus, and magnesium, which help support bone and joint health, muscle maintenance, and overall physical strength.
• Suitable for all ages: Squid porridge has a soft, easy-to-eat texture, making it suitable for adults, those recovering from illness, and young children who have started on solid foods. However, for young children, parents should mince or blend the squid very finely and adjust the seasoning accordingly to ensure easy digestion.

Ingredients for Fresh Squid Porridge

To cook squid porridge for approximately 4 servings, prepare all the ingredients listed below.

Equipment needed:

• A pot for cooking porridge
• A non-stick pan for stir-frying the squid
• Knife and cutting board
• Bowls and spoons
• A strainer or skimmer for removing foam (if simmering bones)

Step-by-Step Guide to Cooking Fresh Squid Porridge

Once all ingredients are prepared, follow the steps below to make fresh squid porridge with a naturally sweet flavor, smooth and soft rice grains, and squid that retains its natural tenderness.

Step 1: Prepare the Fresh Squid

Rinse the fresh squid, gently separate the head from the body, then remove the ink sac, innards, and transparent backbone. Rinse the squid again with clean water, then gently rub with crushed ginger, 1 tablespoon of white wine or 1 teaspoon of vinegar for about 3–5 minutes to eliminate the fishy smell. Finally, rinse the squid under clean water, drain, and cut into bite-sized pieces or rings.

See also: Tips for cleaning squid thoroughly, odor-free, and super quickly

Step 2: Marinate the Squid Before Stir-Frying

Place the squid in a bowl and marinate with 1 teaspoon of fish sauce, 1/2 teaspoon of seasoning powder, 1/4 teaspoon of ground pepper, 1 teaspoon of minced ginger, and 1 teaspoon of minced garlic. Mix well and let the squid rest for about 10–15 minutes to allow the seasoning to lightly penetrate. Avoid marinating for too long, as the salt in the seasonings can cause the squid to release water, affecting its tenderness after stir-frying.

Step 3: Prepare the Broth and Toast the Rice

If using pork bones, blanch them briefly in boiling water and rinse clean before simmering in about 1.5–2 liters of water for 45–60 minutes to extract the natural sweetness. Meanwhile, rinse the rice and dry-toast it over low heat for about 5–7 minutes until the grains turn slightly golden and become fragrant. Toasting the rice beforehand helps the porridge cook faster, allows the grains to expand evenly, and adds a more appealing aroma.

Once the broth has reached the desired sweetness, add the toasted rice and cook for approximately 25–30 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the porridge from sticking to the bottom of the pot.

Step 4: Stir-Fry the Squid and Finish the Porridge

Sauté the shallots in a little cooking oil until fragrant, then add the marinated squid and stir-fry over high heat for about 1–2 minutes until the squid just firms up, then turn off the heat. Once the porridge is fully cooked, add all the squid into the pot, stir well, and continue cooking for another 2–3 minutes. This is the ideal moment for the squid to cook through while remaining tender and sweet without becoming tough.

Finally, season the porridge with fish sauce, seasoning powder, and ground pepper to taste. When serving, ladle the porridge into bowls and sprinkle with spring onions and cilantro. Bean sprouts can also be added on the side if desired to make the dish even more fragrant and appealing.

See also:

• 8 simple and nutritious ways to cook squid porridge for babies starting solids
• How to cook delicious and nutritious dried squid porridge without any fishy smell

Important Notes When Cooking Fresh Squid Porridge

To ensure the fresh squid porridge is fragrant, the broth is clear and sweet, and the squid retains its natural tenderness, keep the following points in mind:

• Prepare the squid thoroughly to eliminate the fishy smell: Completely remove the ink sac, innards, and backbone, then gently rub with ginger, white wine, or vinegar for about 3–5 minutes and rinse again with water.
• Do not stir-fry or cook the squid for too long: Only stir-fry the squid for about 1–2 minutes and add it to the pot when the porridge is nearly done. An additional 2–3 minutes of cooking is sufficient for the squid to be cooked through, tender, and sweet without becoming tough.
• Balance the ratio of rice to water: For about 250g of rice, use 1.8–2 liters of broth to achieve a porridge of the right consistency. If the porridge is too thick, add hot broth; if too thin, continue cooking over low heat until the desired consistency is reached.

How to Choose Fresh Squid for Porridge

Fresh squid is the ingredient that determines the sweetness of the broth and the overall flavor of the porridge. When purchasing, prioritize squid with the following characteristics:

• Shiny body and firm flesh: The surface of the squid should be naturally white or slightly pink. When gently pressed, the flesh should spring back quickly to its original shape.
• Clear and bright eyes: Eyes that are still clear, not cloudy or sunken, are a sign that the squid is still fresh.
• Tentacles firmly attached to the body: The head and tentacles should be tightly attached to the body, with all sucker arms intact and not loose or mushy.
• Has the characteristic aroma of fresh seafood: Fresh squid should only have a mild, natural sea smell. If there is an unpleasant odor, ammonia smell, or any strange scent, it should not be selected.

See details: How to choose fresh and delicious squid — tips not everyone knows

How to Store Leftover Fresh Squid Porridge

If there is porridge left over, it needs to be stored properly to preserve the flavor and ensure food safety.

• Store the porridge and squid separately: This is the best way to prevent the squid from becoming tough when reheated. Place the porridge and squid in two separate airtight containers and refrigerate.
• Reheat properly before eating: Heat the porridge first, then add the squid and cook for an additional 1–2 minutes so the squid is just warmed through while remaining tender and sweet.
• Should be consumed within 24 hours: Fresh squid porridge tastes best immediately after cooking. If refrigerated, it should be consumed within 24 hours to maintain optimal flavor and food safety.

The above covers how to cook fragrant squid porridge along with tips on selecting ingredients, preparing, and cooking to preserve the natural sweetness of the dish while keeping the squid from becoming tough. In addition to fresh squid, dried squid is also an ingredient many households choose for preparing a variety of delicious dishes. If interested, you can explore quality dried squid products at Ola Squid!