Baked Squid with Fresh or Frozen Squid (Squid Rings)
Welcome, friends of my cooking blog!
Hello to all the cooking enthusiasts! Today I want to share with you a delicious and easy-to-make recipe: baked squid. This dish is perfect for those who love the fresh and delicate flavor of squid, but it can be made with both fresh and frozen squid, like squid rings. This recipe is ideal for a casual lunch or dinner with friends or family. Baked squid is a dish that everyone loves and can be prepared in a short time. Moreover, you can personalize it by adding your favorite spices or herbs.
Fresh Squid
Squid are delicious mollusks and very versatile in the kitchen. When buying fresh squid, it’s important to choose those with smooth and shiny skin, with protruding and transparent eyes. Also, it’s important to check that the smell is fresh and not unpleasant. Their meat is tender and succulent, with a delicate but distinct taste that pairs perfectly with a myriad of ingredients and seasonings. One of the most classic recipes is definitely FRIED SQUID
The Convenience of Frozen Squid
Frozen squid are extremely convenient. You won’t have to worry about cleaning and preparing them, as they are ready to use. This means you can save a lot of time in the kitchen, which is particularly useful when you’re in a hurry or have little time available to cook.
Moreover, frozen squid are available all year round, which means you can enjoy their goodness at any time without having to wait for the right season. This allows you to experiment with new recipes and try new flavor combinations without having to wait months to do so.
They are also very versatile and can be used in many different recipes. Additionally, frozen squid are also a great addition to seafood-based recipes like paella or risotto.
Finally, frozen squid are also very cost-effective. They are generally cheaper than fresh squid and can be purchased in large quantities and stored in the freezer for future use.
See also:
- Difficulty: Very Easy
- Cost: Inexpensive
- Preparation time: 30 Minutes
- Portions: 6-8 people
- Cooking methods: Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients
- 2.2 lbs squid (fresh or a package of frozen squid)
- extra virgin olive oil (to taste)
- A few tablespoons olive oil
- lemon juice (about 1 lemon)
- salt (to taste)
- pepper (if desired)
- 3.5 oz breadcrumbs
- Grana Padano cheese, grated (optional to taste)
- parsley
- 1 clove garlic
Tools
Necessary tools for preparation
- Bowls large
- Colander
- Scissors
- Pan
- Parchment paper
Preparation
If you’re using fresh squid
remember to clean them before slicing into rings. To clean squid, you need to remove the head, eyes, beak, and innards. Additionally, you should remove the outer skin and the internal cartilage, which is the transparent and gelatinous part. Once cleaned, you can slice the squid into thin rings and proceed with the baked squid recipe as indicated above.
If using frozen squid, thaw them following the package instructions. However, if you have purchased frozen squid, you can rinse them under running water to remove any ice residue and let them thaw for about an hour in a colander in the sink, so they lose excess liquids. Once thawed, you can proceed with the baked squid recipe. It is recommended not to cook them for too long, as they may become rubbery and less tasty.
How to prepare the CITRONETTE
Here’s the recipe to prepare a delicious citronette:
Pour the extra virgin olive oil into a bowl. –
Add the lemon juice to the bowl with the oil. –
Add two pinches of salt and one of pepper, according to your personal taste. – Use a fork or whisk to beat the ingredients together until you achieve an emulsion. –
The emulsion should have a homogeneous consistency, with the oil and lemon juice well mixed. – The citronette thus obtained can be used as a dressing for salads or fish-based dishes.
How to prepare Bimby Flavored Breadcrumbs
Prepare the breading in another bowl, mixing the breadcrumbs or two slices of stale bread, parsley, and finely chopped garlic, or mix everything in a blender/mixer-bimby: place the bread slices, cheese, garlic, parsley, and salt in the bimby or a mixer, and chop everything, leaving the mix a little coarser.
PREPARATION
Place the squid in a large bowl, pour the citronette over them, which is an emulsion of oil and lemon juice, and gently mix. Finally, add the breading, and mix again so that all the squid pieces are coated.
Arrange everything in a baking dish, I used a ceramic oven dish lined with parchment paper (optional).
Add a little more extra virgin olive oil on top and bake in a preheated oven at about 392°F, for a total of about 15 minutes: the first 10 minutes I set the oven to static mode and the remaining 5 minutes to fan mode.
However, check the cooking in your oven, as not all ovens are the same.
When the Baked Squid are lightly golden, take them out of the oven. Do not prolong cooking too much, or they may become slightly rubbery.
Serve at the table with a few lemon slices on the side. Enjoy your meal!
Additional Notes
Here are some additional notes on baked squid:
Squid must be thoroughly cleaned before cooking.-
It’s important not to overcook the squid to avoid them becoming rubbery.-
It’s recommended to serve the baked squid with a light sauce to enhance the delicate flavor of the mollusk (optional)
It’s recommended to serve the baked squid with a light sauce to enhance the delicate flavor of the mollusk (optional)
FAQ (Questions and Answers)
Frequently asked questions about Baked Squid with Fresh or Frozen Squid (Squid Rings)
What are the main ingredients of Baked Squid?
The main ingredients of Baked Squid are fresh or frozen squid (squid rings), breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, olive oil, and grated cheese.
What is the preparation and cooking time?
The preparation time varies from 10 to 15 minutes, while the cooking time is usually between 15 and 20 minutes
How to prepare baked squid?
After cleaning the squid, prepare a citronette with extra virgin olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. For the breading, mix the breadcrumbs with parsley and garlic. Finally, bake the squid in the oven
Can I use frozen squid?
Yes, you can use both fresh and frozen squid for this recipe. If you use frozen squid, make sure to completely thaw them before using.
What are the variations of this recipe?
There are several variations of the baked squid recipe. Here are some:
Baked Squid with Potatoes:
In this variation, the squid is baked with potatoes. The potatoes are cut into cubes and cooked with the squid, giving a delicious flavor and making the dish more substantial.
Stuffed Baked Squid:
Instead of leaving the squid empty (keeping them whole), you can fill them with a mix of ingredients before baking. The filling may include breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, grated cheese, and sometimes even ham or other seafood.
Baked Squid with Tomato:
Some people prefer to add a bit of tomato sauce to their baked squid for added moisture and flavor. You can simply add the tomato sauce to the squid before adding the breading.
Baked Squid with Aromatic Herbs:
You can vary the herbs used in the breading to change the flavor of the baked squid. For example, you might use thyme, oregano, rosemary, or basil.
Baked Squid with Cheese:
Some recipes add grated cheese to the breading, such as parmesan or pecorino, for a richer flavor and a crunchier crust.
Remember that the most important thing is to experiment and find the variation you like the most!
