Steaming Soft Squid: A Guide To Stuffed Seafood Delight

Steamed stuffed squid is a delicious dish that can be prepared in a variety of ways, incorporating different ingredients and cooking methods. Squid is a versatile ingredient that can be stuffed with various fillings, such as minced pork, seafood, or vegetables, and cooked using techniques like steaming, grilling, or pan-frying. The key to achieving tender and juicy stuffed squid lies in the preparation and cooking methods, ensuring that the squid is cleaned and stuffed properly before being cooked to perfection.

How to prepare the squid for stuffing

Preparing the squid for stuffing is a delicate process, but it will be worth it! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare your squid for stuffing:

Firstly, you will need to clean the squid thoroughly. Remove the head, eyes, mouth, and ink sac. Be careful when handling the ink sac and removing the eyes—do not squeeze the eyes as the ink may shoot out. You can watch online tutorials for detailed instructions on this step. Remember to keep the skin on.

Once the squid is cleaned, you can start preparing the stuffing. For a simple minced pork filling, you will need garlic, shallots, pepper, and an egg. You can also add salt to taste. Mix these ingredients together in a bowl.

Now it's time to stuff the squid. Use a spoon to fill each squid with the prepared mixture until they are about three-quarters full. Do not overstuff the squid, as this can cause them to burst during cooking.

Finally, use a toothpick to secure the opening of the squid and prevent the filling from falling out. Insert the toothpick through the squid, skewering it to secure the head back onto the body.

Your squid is now ready for steaming!

How to make a pork filling

To make a pork filling for steamed stuffed squid, you will need the following ingredients:

• Minced pork
• Salted egg (or a regular egg and salt)
• Garlic
• Shallots
• Pepper

You may also want to add other ingredients such as:

• Carrots
• Raisins
• Celery
• Tomato
• Onion

Firstly, clean out the squid bodies, reserving the heads and leaving the skin on. Next, cook the pork filling. You can do this by sautéing garlic, onion, celery, and tomato before adding the ground pork. Cook the meat until it is medium brown. Then, add the carrots and season with salt and pepper. You can also add raisins if you like.

Let the filling cool down before stuffing the squid. Once the filling is cool, spoon it into each squid until they are about 3/4 full. Then, use a toothpick to skewer the squid and secure the head back onto the body.

How to steam the stuffed squid

Now that your squid is stuffed, it's time to steam it! Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, prepare your steamer by placing it over a pot of boiling water. Make sure there is sufficient water, with the water level reaching the height of the top of the steaming rack. This is important to ensure efficient steaming. While you're waiting for the water to boil, you can start preparing the squid for steaming.

Take your stuffed squid and use a toothpick to secure the filling. This will prevent the filling from falling out during the steaming process. If you haven't already removed the head and tentacles, you can do so now and reattach them to the body with a toothpick, as mentioned in the previous section.

Once the water is boiling, carefully place the stuffed squid into the steamer. Cover the steamer and let it steam over high heat. The steaming time will depend on the size of your squid and the recipe you are following. For smaller squid, around 5-7 minutes of steaming may be sufficient. However, for larger squid, you may need to steam for up to 15 or 20 minutes. Keep an eye on the water level and ensure it doesn't boil dry.

When the steaming is complete, carefully remove the squid from the steamer and set it aside to cool slightly. You can then slice the squid into chunks or serve it whole, depending on your preference. Remember to remove the toothpicks before serving!

Some recipes may call for an additional grilling or searing step after steaming to add a smoky flavour to the dish. If you choose to do this, heat a grill pan or skillet over medium heat and add a small amount of butter or oil. Once the butter is melted and sizzling, add the steamed squid and cook for a few minutes on each side until lightly charred.

And that's it! Your steamed stuffed squid is now ready to be served and enjoyed. You can serve it with a dipping sauce or as part of a larger meal, depending on your preference.

How to grill the stuffed squid

The steam-grill method is a great way to cook stuffed squid, giving you tender and flavourful results with a smoky barbecue taste. Here is a detailed, step-by-step guide on how to grill your stuffed squid to perfection:

Step 1: Prepare the Squid

Start by cleaning the squid, removing the head, ink sac, eyes, and mouth. Be careful when handling the ink sac and eyes to avoid any mess. You can refer to online video tutorials for detailed instructions on this process.

Step 2: Make the Stuffing

For the filling, you can use a variety of ingredients such as minced pork, garlic, shallots, eggs, and pepper. Mix the filling ingredients together in a bowl. You can also add other ingredients like vegetables or different types of meat to customise the recipe.

Step 3: Stuff the Squid

Use a spoon or a chopstick to fill the squid with the prepared stuffing. Be careful not to overfill the squid, leaving about a quarter of the space empty to allow for expansion during cooking. Use a toothpick to seal the opening and secure the head back onto the body.

Step 4: Steam the Squid

Before grilling, it is essential to steam the stuffed squid first. Place the squid in a steamer over high heat and steam for around 15-20 minutes. Steaming ensures that the heat penetrates the stuffing, cooking it thoroughly while keeping the squid moist and tender.

Step 5: Grill the Squid

After steaming, it's time to grill! Heat a grilling pan over medium heat and add butter. Once the butter is sizzling, place the stuffed squid in the pan and grill for about 3-4 minutes on each side. The squid should be nicely seared and charred. If desired, add more butter and repeat with any remaining squid.

Step 6: Serve

Remove the toothpicks and slice the grilled squid. Arrange the squid on a serving platter and garnish with chopped parsley and a slice of lime. Serve the stuffed squid while it's still hot to enjoy the best flavours and textures.

Enjoy your delicious grilled stuffed squid!

How to serve the steamed stuffed squid

The steamed stuffed squid is now ready to be served! Here are some tips and suggestions on how to serve this delicious dish:

• Allow to cool: Before serving, it is important to let the stuffed squid cool down slightly. This will help ensure that the squid is tender and easy to cut or bite into.
• Cut into chunks: To make it easier for your guests to eat, consider cutting the stuffed squid into bite-sized or manageable chunks. This can be done after cooling the squid and before arranging it on a serving plate.
• Arrange on a plate: Place the squid chunks on a serving plate or dish. You can also arrange the squid on a bed of fresh vegetables, such as shredded cabbage, for a healthier option or over a bed of linguine.
• Drizzle with sauce: Spoon some of the liquid collected from the steaming plate over the squid chunks to add extra flavour and moisture. You can also serve the squid with a dipping sauce, such as sweet chilli sauce, on the side.
• Garnish: To add some colour and freshness to the dish, consider garnishing with herbs such as mint or parsley.
• Serve hot or cold: The stuffed squid can be served either hot or cold, depending on your preference. If serving cold, allow the squid to cool completely before refrigerating.
• Accompaniments: Steamed stuffed squid can be served as a main course or appetiser. Consider pairing it with steamed rice or fresh vegetables on the side.
• Cleanliness: Remember to remove the toothpicks used to secure the stuffing before serving, especially if serving to children.
• Presentation: When arranging the squid on a plate, pay attention to the presentation. Try to create an appealing and colourful dish by adding garnishes or serving it on a bed of vegetables or pasta.
• Safety: Ensure that the squid is thoroughly cooked before serving. Undercooked squid can pose a health risk.

By following these suggestions, you can now confidently serve your steamed stuffed squid to your guests or family! Enjoy the delicious flavours and textures of this unique and impressive dish.

Frequently asked questions