Almost everyone knows how to boil and fry squid. But what to do with them next? What do they pair well with, what interesting dishes can be made, and in what direction should you go with culinary experiments? We share 20 quick and delicious recipes for what to cook with squid!
1. Stewed Squid
You won't need to buy special ingredients for this recipe!
You will need: 400g squid, 1 carrot, 1 onion.
Preparation: Grate the carrot on a coarse grater, slice the onion into half-rings, and sauté them over medium heat. Blanch the washed squid with boiling water, peel, slice into half-rings, and add to the vegetables. Simmer everything together for just 3-4 minutes.
2. Calamari Fritters
An excellent standalone dish and a delightful appetizer.
You will need: 2 squid, 1 egg, a third cup of milk and water, salt, pepper, flour, sesame seeds.
Preparation: Boil cleaned squid in boiling water for 2-3 minutes, cool, and slice into rings. Mix the batter from milk, water, spices, sesame seeds, and flour until it reaches the consistency of thick sour cream. Dip the squid rings in the batter, fry, and place on a paper towel.
3. Squid in Sour Cream
Think sour cream is only good for meat and poultry? Not at all!
You will need: 1.5 kg squid, 2 carrots, 3 onions, 3 cloves garlic, 500 ml sour cream, 1 tsp salt, pepper.
Preparation: Blanch the squid with boiling water, clean, and slice into strips. Mince the carrots, onions, and garlic, and sauté them together until beautifully golden. Add the squid, season with pepper and salt, pour in the sour cream, and simmer everything together for 10 minutes.
4. Squid and Smoked Cheese Salad
Despite its simplicity, this salad is very beautiful and light, perfect for a festive table.
You will need: 500g squid, 8 cherry tomatoes, 1 sweet pepper, 1 zucchini, 1 clove garlic, 100g smoked cheese, half a lemon, 100ml olive oil, spices, and herbs.
Preparation: Mix olive oil with lemon juice, spices, and crushed garlic. Boil squid for 3 minutes and slice into rings. Slice vegetables into strips, and tomatoes into quarters, mix the salad, dress, and sprinkle with herbs.
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5. Rice with Squid
This dish resembles classic pilaf but with Mediterranean notes.
You will need: 1 cup long-grain rice, 700g squid, 2 onions, 2 carrots, 0.5 tsp cumin, coriander, turmeric, and basil, 1 tbsp tomato paste, salt.
Preparation: Blanch squid with boiling water, clean, immerse in boiling water for 15 seconds, and slice into strips. Cook rice separately. Slice carrots into rounds, and onions into half-rings, sauté until half-cooked. Add squid, tomato paste, and spices to the vegetables, mix, and simmer for another 3-5 minutes.
6. Ratatouille with Squid
This classic vegetable dish pairs perfectly with seafood.
You will need: 4 squid, 150ml olive oil, 2 onions, 3 eggplants, 2 green peppers, 4 zucchinis, 500g tomatoes, 2 cloves garlic, flour.
Preparation: Finely chop the onion, garlic, and tomatoes, and dice the other vegetables. Slice cleaned squid into strips. Sauté the onion over low heat, add the eggplants, and after 10 minutes, add the peppers. After another 10 minutes, add the remaining vegetables and simmer for an hour. Separately, fry the squid in flour for 2-3 minutes and place on top of the ratatouille.
7. Stuffed Squid with Mushrooms and Cheese
For convenience, choose squid of roughly the same size.
You will need: 4 squid, 2 onions, 2 carrots, 800g mushrooms, 4 eggs, 200g cheese, herbs, spices, olive oil.
Preparation: Sauté finely chopped onion and grated carrot, separately sauté mushrooms, and boil eggs. Dice the eggs finely, and grate the cheese coarsely.
Wash and clean the squid, remove the film, and stuff with the mixed filling and spices. Secure with toothpicks, place the squid on oiled foil, and bake for 20 minutes at 200 degrees Celsius.
8. Squid Noodles
A very original and piquant appetizer for seafood lovers!
You will need: 800g squid, 500ml chicken broth, a rosemary sprig, 100g cilantro, 100ml olive oil, 2 cloves garlic, 50g butter, salt, pepper, pine nuts.
Preparation: Sauté garlic with rosemary in butter, pour in the broth, and when it boils, cook the thickly sliced squid in it for 3 minutes. In a blender, mix olive oil, cilantro, and pine nuts with spices, mix the sauce, and pour over the squid when serving.
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9. Squid in Soy Sauce
A quick and simple interpretation of a Chinese recipe.
You will need: 1 kg squid, 2 onions, 3-4 cloves garlic, 2 tbsp soy sauce, 2 tsp sugar, salt, and pepper.
Preparation: Immerse cleaned squid in boiling water for 2 minutes, cool, and slice into strips. Slice the onion into half-rings, sauté until golden, and add the squid for a minute. Add sugar, soy sauce, salt, and pepper, and fry everything together over high heat for 1-2 minutes. Before serving, mix with crushed garlic.
10. Squid in Pots
Stew in pots is no surprise, but what about squid?
You will need: 600g squid, 2 carrots, 2 onions, 1 tsp salt, spices.
Preparation: Blanch the squid with boiling water, clean, and slice into rings. Grate the carrots, coarsely chop the onions, and mix everything together with spices and 2 tbsp vegetable oil. Arrange the squid and vegetables in pots and place in a cold oven for 1.5 hours at 200 degrees Celsius.
11. Squid and Noodle Salad
You can serve it as an appetizer or warm as a main course.
You will need: 3 squid, 3 eggs, 200g Napa cabbage, 150g noodles, leek.
Preparation: Break the noodles into pieces and boil. Separately boil squid and slice into half-rings, and eggs – and slice into thin wedges. Shred the cabbage and finely chop the leek, mix all ingredients, and dress with any favorite dressing.
12. Squid Casserole
Instead of rice, you can use bulgur, another grain, or small pasta.
You will need: 400g squid, 200g rice, 1 tsp turmeric, 2 onions, 200g sour cream, 50g cheese, 1 bell pepper, spices.
Preparation: Boil rice and mix it with salt and turmeric. Separately boil squid and slice into thin rings. Sauté chopped onion until beautifully golden, add squid with spices, and simmer for 5 minutes. Layer rice in a baking dish, then squid with onion, then pepper strips. Pour sour cream over everything, sprinkle with grated cheese, and bake until a beautiful crust forms at 180 degrees Celsius.
13. Squid Fritters
Sounds like fantasy, doesn't it?
You will need: 400g squid, 200g small star-shaped pasta, 5 eggs, 150g butter, 2 onions, 2 carrots, herbs, spices.
Preparation: Boil cleaned squid and dice. Separately boil pasta, and meanwhile, grate carrots, chop onions, and sauté them in 30g butter. When cool, mix all ingredients, add eggs, spices, and chopped herbs, and fry the fritters in butter.
14. Potato Casserole with Squid
A very simple and hearty dish that can be prepared with squid for a substantial family dinner.
You will need: 500g potatoes, 200g squid, 150g hard cheese.
Preparation: Boil potatoes, mash them into a puree, and spread into a baking dish with low sides. Top with boiled or canned squid and sprinkle with grated cheese. You can make more layers in the same sequence. Bake the casserole for about 15 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
15. Squid in Tomato Sauce
The dish turns out pleasantly spicy and aromatic.
You will need: 300g squid, 200g canned tomatoes, 70ml wine, 2 cloves garlic, 40ml olive oil, 0.5 tsp each of salt, black pepper, and chili, 3 sprigs parsley.
Preparation: Sauté finely chopped garlic with chili in olive oil, pour in the wine, and bring to a boil. Add chopped tomatoes and simmer for 2 minutes. Slice boiled squid into rings and add to the sauce with herbs and other spices for 4 minutes.
16. Squid with Cottage Cheese and Shrimp
Another interesting combination to stuff squid with!
You will need: 3 squid, 400g cottage cheese, 200g shrimp, 3 cloves garlic, 3 green onion stalks, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1 tsp each of paprika and mixed peppers, salt.
Preparation: Mix cottage cheese with mayonnaise, crushed garlic, chopped green onion, and spices. Boil shrimp for 5 minutes, peel, and add to the filling. Clean squid and boil for 3 minutes, stuff, and refrigerate for 2 hours.
17. Mediterranean Okroshka with Squid
A fresh and light alternative to the classic okroshka we're used to.
You will need: 200g squid, 2 eggs, 1 potato, 3 cherry tomatoes, 1 cucumber, 3 tbsp yogurt, 1 liter water, half a lemon, spices, and herbs.
Preparation: Separately boil and cool squid, eggs, and potatoes. Slice cherry tomatoes into quarters, and potatoes, cucumber, and eggs into small cubes. Add squid rings, drizzle with lemon juice, season, and mix with yogurt. Pour in water and garnish the okroshka with herbs.
18. Squid Stuffed with Crab Sticks
An excellent recipe for what to cook with squid for any celebration!
You will need: 2 squid, 200g crab sticks, 120g cheese, 1 clove garlic, 1 tbsp mayonnaise.
Preparation: Blend chopped crab sticks, cheese, garlic, and mayonnaise into a smooth paste. Boil cleaned squid for 4 minutes, stuff, and refrigerate for an hour. Before serving, slice the appetizer into rings.
19. Marinated Squid
If you love seafood and interesting marinades – this recipe is for you.
You will need: 2 squid, 1 onion, 750ml pickle brine, 1 tsp sea salt, spices.
Preparation: Peel the onion, slice into thin half-rings, salt, and mash with your hands. Add fresh squid rings to the onion and leave for half an hour. Boil the brine, pour half over the squid with onion, and after 15 seconds, drain the liquid. Pour the second part of the brine, leave for 5 minutes, and again drain the squid in a colander. Before serving, drizzle with vegetable oil and garnish with herbs.
20. Squid in Red Wine
Seafood acquires an unusual taste and a beautiful burgundy color.
You will need: 750g squid, 50g olives, 2 tsp cinnamon, 3 tbsp olive oil, 2 red onions, 3 cloves garlic, 1 tsp sugar, 300ml dry red wine, 2 bay leaves, a bunch of cilantro, a bunch of dill, spices.
Preparation: Sauté chopped onion with garlic in olive oil, add squid rings, and cook for 3 minutes. Pour in wine, add olives, spices, sugar, cinnamon, and bay leaf. When it boils, reduce heat and simmer everything covered for 35 minutes. At the end, add chopped herbs.