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Squid, or calamari as we commonly know it, is not just used for the deep-fried small plates served with cold beer in Goan shacks. The delicate seafood variety of the white or grey tentacled sea creature, is sliced into rings and used across preparations that are sublime in taste and barely take any time to cook. When you’re craving some seafood and looking for a quick fix, opting for squid to cook with is ideal – eat it over rice, as an entrée, as a starter or even as an accompaniment to your meals.
Squid Tempura
A Japanese-style take on squid, this deep-fried tempura is a simple mixture of all-purpose flour, salt, pepper and soda water mixed into a runny batter. Slice the squid into rings and dip in the batter before deep-frying in hot oil. Spritz some fresh lemon juice over it and serve it hot with tartar sauce or a spicy sriracha sauce on the side, to enjoy with drinks or eat before a meal.
Squid Masala
Image Credits: Yummy Tummy Aarthi
A spicy, stir fry preparation, the squid masala is a classic Indian recipe of a basic onion-tomato based masala, flavoured with green chillies, garlic, turmeric powder and a pinch of garam masala. As the masala cooks to a mushy consistency, tip in the squid and toss around, until the rings turn white and have a slight bounce. For the full experience, eat with rice bhakris or appams.
Kerala Squid Roast
Inspired by the classic egg roast – a breakfast preparation of eggs cooked in a slow-cooked onion base, the squid roast is similar; the only difference being a generous sprinkling of a dry spice blend made with coriander seeds, dry red chillies, cinnamon, black pepper, curry leaves and desiccated coconut. This fiery preparation is a common feature in toddy shops found across the state and is best eaten on its own, while still warm.
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Squid Rava Fry
Image Credits: cookpad
A Malvan-Konkani preparation that can give any tempura a run for its money, the rava fried squid is exactly what it promises to be. Fresh squid, coated in a spice paste made with red chillies, garlic, a splash of vinegar and aromatic coriander seeds; and then sprinkled with rava before being pan fried in hot oil. This rava fry recipe can also be replicated with other varieties of seafood like pomfret, clams and prawns.
Squid Xacuti
A robustly aromatic and headily flavoursome Goan preparation, the squid xacuti is an unlikely contender to be among popular favourites. However, this simple preparation contains a cocktail of some spices that provide depth of flavour – nutmeg, poppy seeds, star anise, white sesame seeds and fenugreek seeds. Best enjoyed with some steamed rice or local bread, this tamarind-based curry should surely be on every squid-lover’s list.
Squid Salad
Image Credits: Macheesmo
Taking a leaf from the ceviche, this simple squid salad is an excellent sharing plate to pass around during a cocktail party. Herby and flavoured boldly with citrus, this simple salad contains squid flash-fried in butter, mixed with chopped parsley, fresh red chillies, basil, onions, garlic, lemon juice and a healthy glug of olive oil. Allow the flavours to meld together by refrigerating it for a couple of hours before consumption.
