Thai Grilled Salt and Pepper Squid
This recipe for Thai salt and pepper squid is fast and delicious to cook up on the grill, plus it's low-fat compared to deep-fried calamari.
- Preparation:
- Cooking:
- Total:
- Serves: 2 persons
Ingredients
- ½to 3/4 pound calamari tubes (cleaned and prepared, fresh or frozen)
- ½teaspoon ground white pepper (available in most spice aisles)
- ½teaspoon sea salt or regular salt
- ¼teaspoon cayenne pepper
- ¼to 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes (to taste)
- 1teaspoon garlic powder
- ½teaspoon onion powder or onion salt
- 1tablespoon coconut oil (or other vegetable oil)
- ½lime (sliced into wedges)
- Optional: 1 tablespoon fish sauce (to taste)
- Garnish: 1/4 cup fresh coriander (lightly chopped)
- Garnish: Thai Sweet Chili Sauce for dipping (available at most supermarkets)
Instructions
Step 1
Gather the ingredients.Step 2
Using a knife, cut open the calamari tubes so that they lie flat.Step 3
Rinse the calamari and place on a tea towel or absorbent paper. Pat them dry. Dry them as well as possible, otherwise, the spice mixture won't stick.Step 4
Cut the calamari lengthwise into strips (approx. 1 inch wide), and place in a mixing bowl .Step 5
Drizzle the oil over the calamari and stir, ensuring all surfaces are covered. Mix the dry spices together in a cup or small bowl, then sprinkle over the oiled calamari.Step 6
Toss until all the calamari strips are coated in the spices. Set aside to marinate while you heat up the grill.Step 7
Lightly brush your grill with oil, then cook the calamari until edges curl up (some strips may curl completely into a circle)—this only takes 2 to 3 minutes per side, depending on the heat of your grill.Step 8
Place the calamari on a serving platter (if desired, over a bed of baby greens). Cut the 1/2 lime into wedges and squeeze over.Step 9
Taste-test the calamari. If not salty enough, sprinkle over a little fish sauce or more salt. If too salty for your taste, add more fresh-squeezed lime juice. Add a final sprinkling of fresh coriander.Step 10
Serve with Thai Sweet Chili Sauce for dipping. Note that this dish can be served over salad or with rice for a complete meal. Enjoy!