Grilled Squid (Calamari)
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Nutritional Guidelines (per serving) | |
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135 | Calories |
5g | Fat |
4g | Carbs |
18g | Protein |
Nutrition Facts | |
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Servings: 4 | |
Amount per serving | |
Calories | 135 |
% Daily Value* | |
Total Fat 5g | 6% |
Saturated Fat 1g | 4% |
Cholesterol 264mg | 88% |
Sodium 183mg | 8% |
Total Carbohydrate 4g | 1% |
Dietary Fiber 0g | 0% |
Total Sugars 0g | |
Protein 18g | |
Vitamin C 8mg | 40% |
Calcium 38mg | 3% |
Iron 1mg | 5% |
Potassium 289mg | 6% |
*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.
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 fresh lemon juice
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1/4 teaspoon salt
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1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
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1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped
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Lemon wedges
Steps to Make It
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Gather the ingredients.
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Heat a grill to high heat. Rinse the squid under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.
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Cut the squid bodies lengthwise down one side and open flat.
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Cut the tentacles in half if too large.
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In a bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
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Add the squid bodies and tentacles to the bowl, tossing to evenly coat.
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Thread the squid bodies lengthwise onto skewers so they lie flat.
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Thread the tentacles onto separate skewers.
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Grill over high heat, turning once, just until opaque throughout, about 1 to 2 minutes.
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Remove the squid from skewers and pile them on a platter.
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Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.
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Enjoy!
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 up 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.