Quick and Flavorful Stir-Fried Squid with Greens is a delightful seafood dish that is not only delicious but also incredibly easy and quick to prepare. With the squid cooking rapidly and freezing exceptionally well, this recipe can easily become a pantry staple for busy weeknights. The beauty of this stir-fry lies in its versatility, allowing you to experiment with various seafood options and vegetables. Serve it with Steamed Sticky Rice, Thai Style, or pair it with rice noodles for a satisfying meal that’s perfect for any day of the week. Whether you choose squid, shrimp, or scallops, this dish promises to impress with its vibrant flavors and tender, succulent seafood.
Yield: 4 servings
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
INGREDIENTS:
- About 1 1/2 pounds cleaned squid
- 8 to 12 ounces bitter greens, such as collards, kale, arugula, or dandelion
- 3 tablespoons peanut or neutral oil, like grapeseed or corn
- 1 chopped jalapeño or other fresh chile, or to taste, or several dried hot chiles
- 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
- Salt
INSTRUCTIONS:
- the squids’ tentacles have not been separated from their bodies, do so. Slice the bodies into rings and, if the tentacles are large, cut them in half. Rinse the squid thoroughly and allow them to drain while you prepare the other ingredients. For the bitter greens, remove the leaves from the stems and discard any stems thicker than 1/8 inch. Chop, rinse, and dry the leaves, aiming for 2 to 3 cups.
- In a large skillet, heat the oil over high heat. Once the oil is hot, add the chopped chile and garlic, stirring for about 15 seconds to release their flavors. Add the chopped greens to the skillet and cook, stirring almost constantly, until they wilt, which takes approximately 2 minutes. Incorporate the squid into the skillet along with a generous pinch of salt. Continue cooking, stirring occasionally, until the squid becomes opaque, and its liquid moistens the greens, usually about 2 minutes.
- Taste the stir-fried squid with greens and adjust the seasoning as needed to suit your preferences. Once perfectly seasoned, the dish is ready to serve immediately. Enjoy the delightful combination of tender squid, vibrant greens, and the delightful hint of spiciness from the chiles.
TIPS:
- For an extra burst of flavor, you can add a little chopped fresh Thai basil or mint to the dish, especially if you’re not using greens.
- If you prefer a milder taste, reduce the amount of chile or omit it altogether.
- Experiment with various vegetables like pea shoots, cabbage, watercress, spinach, chopped carrots, or parsnips to create your own twist on this quick and versatile stir-fry.
- Pair this flavorful seafood stir-fry with Steamed Sticky Rice, Thai Style, or serve it over rice noodles for a delightful and satisfying meal.
- Make sure not to overcook the squid to maintain its tender texture and prevent it from becoming tough.
- This stir-fried squid dish is best enjoyed immediately after cooking for the freshest flavors and textures.
Squid cooks so fast and freezes so well that this dish can easily become a pantry staple for weeknights. As with
most stir-fries, just about all the ingredients can be varied. Happy cooking!
