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The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
---|---|
184 | Calories |
5g | Fat |
20g | Carbs |
20g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 184 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 5g | 7% |
Saturated Fat 1g | 5% |
Cholesterol 264mg | 88% |
Sodium 186mg | 8% |
Total Carbohydrate 20g | 7% |
Dietary Fiber 5g | 17% |
Total Sugars 4g | |
Protein 20g | |
Vitamin C 97mg | 486% |
Calcium 82mg | 6% |
Iron 2mg | 10% |
Potassium 521mg | 11% |
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. |
Although many think that squid is the same as calamari, the truth is that calamari is just one type of squid while what's properly referred to as squid in culinary circles is another. They're technically two different animals, but the differences are slight. In cuisine, their names are commonly used interchangeably, but the truth is that squid present tougher meat, and calamari are wonderfully tender. Even if they're both delicious, if you can get your hands on fresh calamari, don't miss out on the chance to prepare this beautiful recipe with it, although squid will also yield a flavorful result. In this easy recipe, reposted with permission from The All New Good Housekeeping Cook Book, the calamari is flavored with olive oil and lemon juice and then quickly grilled to tender perfection.
Many home cooks avoid preparing squid because of the infamous rubbery texture, but the secret to perfect squid lies in the speed and temperature of cooking. Squid must be either cooked fast over high heat or slow-cooked to achieve the right tenderness. Anything in between results in a chewy mess. Squid is a great ingredient and a nutritious one too: a 100-gram serving of raw squid has barely 92 calories but an impressive 15 grams of protein and beneficial levels of copper, selenium, and vitamin E. If you're looking for great sources of protein but want to keep an eye on your caloric intake, squid is the perfect choice.
Beautiful when raw, a properly prepared sashimi of squid is a flavorful bite. Easily found in the frozen aisle of most supermarkets, calamari can also be bought fresh. Serve these beautifully grilled squids as an appetizer or make them part of a main dish when adding them to a green salad or atop garlic pasta.
"Prep for the grilled squid was easy and cooking was quick—only 2 minutes on the hot grill! The squid bodies were tender with an excellent flavor and not as chewy as I expected, while the tentacles were chewy but tasty. Kitchen shears worked well to cut the squid." —Diana Rattray
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Ingredients
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1 pound squid, cleaned
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1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
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1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lemon juice
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1/8 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
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1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley
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Lemon wedges, for garnish
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
Put the skewers in a container, cover with water, and soak for at least 30 minutes while you prepare the squid.
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
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Prepare a high (500 F to 600 F) gas or charcoal grill fire. Rinse the squid under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
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Cut the squid bodies lengthwise down one side and open flat.
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
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Cut the tentacles in half if too large.
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
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In a bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
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Add the squid bodies and tentacles to the bowl, tossing to evenly coat.
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
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Thread the squid bodies lengthwise onto skewers so they lie flat.
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
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Thread the tentacles onto separate skewers.
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
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Grill, turning once, just until opaque, about 2 minutes.
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
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Remove the squid from skewers and pile them on a platter.
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
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Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
The Spruce / Nyssa Tanner
Sauces for Grilled Squid
Although the grilled calamari are a treat just with lemon wedges and parsley, there are a few delicious sauces you can add to the mix. Here are our easy-to-make favorites:
- Spicy Marinara: Don't underestimate the power of jarred pasta sauce. Use one cup of your favorite marinara and add chili flakes to taste. Heat over medium heat, adding 1 to 2 tablespoons of water. Let sit for 15 minutes so the chili flakes release their flavor and serve as a side sauce to the calamari.
- Herby Dressing: Blend 1/2 cup of olive oil with 1 cup of cilantro leaves, salt and pepper to taste, and 4 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice. This herby sauce is great when drizzled on top of the calamari.
- Garlic Sauce: Mix 1 cup of mayonnaise with 4 minced cloves of garlic, salt and pepper to taste, and 2 tablespoons of finely chopped chives. This is a pungent sauce and it's delicious on top of crusty bread with a couple of calamari on top.
How to Store
- Refrigerate leftover grilled squid in an airtight container within 2 hours and consume within 3 days.
- To freeze cooled grilled squid, transfer it to a freezer container or zip-close bag. Label with the name and date and freeze for up to 2 months.
- The oven is the best way to reheat grilled squid. Arrange the squid on a rack in a rimmed baking pan and brush with olive oil. Heat in a 350 F oven for about 10 minutes, until hot.