Mediterranean Baked Squid: a dive into fresh and Mediterranean flavors.
A main course that smells of summer and sea: Mediterranean baked squid is an explosion of flavor that will conquer everyone’s palate. The tenderness of the squid perfectly matches a fresh, rich dressing. Juicy cherry tomatoes, pitted black olives, capers, and a touch of chopped mint and basil. All enriched with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and a sprinkle of homemade bread crumbs, for a crispy and irresistible golden crust. A simple and quick recipe to prepare. Perfect for a family dinner or with friends, but also for a tasty and light lunch. Mediterranean baked squid is a dish that everyone will surely enjoy, from adults to children. In this recipe, we will guide you step by step in preparing this exquisite main course, revealing all the tricks to achieve a perfect result.
Ready to dive into a sea of Mediterranean flavors? Get into the kitchen and prepare your baked squid!
What makes this recipe special?
With this recipe, you will bring a piece of the Mediterranean to your table, winning over your guests with a truly special fish main course!
- Difficulty: Very easy
- Cost: Economical
- Rest time: 10 Minutes
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Cooking methods: Oven, Air Fryer, Electric Oven
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: Spring, Summer, All seasons
- Energy 137.81 (Kcal)
- Carbohydrates 6.06 (g) of which sugars 3.89 (g)
- Proteins 13.24 (g)
- Fat 7.22 (g) of which saturated 1.77 (g)of which unsaturated 4.52 (g)
- Fibers 1.35 (g)
- Sodium 761.72 (mg)
Indicative values for a portion of 300 g processed in an automated way starting from the nutritional information available on the CREA* and FoodData Central** databases. It is not food and / or nutritional advice.
* CREATES Food and Nutrition Research Center: https://www.crea.gov.it/alimenti-e-nutrizione https://www.alimentinutrizione.it ** U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service. FoodData Central, 2019. https://fdc.nal.usda.gov
Ingredients
- 1.1 lbs squid (Cleaned)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes (Yellow, red, orange)
- 3.5 oz black olives (Pitted)
- 1.8 oz green olives (Pitted)
- 2 tbsp salted capers
- 8 leaves mint
- 8 leaves basil
- 1 sprig thyme
- 4 tbsp breadcrumbs
- 2 g salt
- to taste black pepper
- 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
Tools
- 1 Baking Tray
- 1 Bowl Pyrex
Steps
To make Mediterranean baked squid, you can use either fresh or frozen squid. If using fresh squid, start by cleaning them thoroughly. Remove the head, innards, and quill. Wash the squid well under running water and then cut them into rings about 1 inch thick. You can leave the tentacles whole. If using frozen squid, let them thaw completely at room temperature before proceeding with the recipe.
After cleaning and cutting the squid into rings, let’s proceed with preparing the cherry tomatoes. Cut the cherry tomatoes in half and place them in a large bowl. Dress them with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, a pinch of salt and mix gently. Let the marinated cherry tomatoes rest for about ten minutes while we prepare the chop for the recipe. This way, the cherry tomatoes will have time to flavor and release a more intense taste.
Now it’s time to create the chopped spices and olives that will give an explosive taste to our baked squid!
Finely chop the fresh mint, fresh basil, and fresh thyme. Add the rinsed salted capers and coarsely chopped pitted black olives.
Customize the chop to your taste: add more aromatic herbs like oregano, marjoram, or thyme for an even richer aroma. For a spicy touch, chop a fresh chili pepper. If you prefer a more intense texture, also add some whole olives.
Soon after, add the chopped spices and olives to the squid rings and marinated cherry tomatoes.
Pour the chopped spices and olives into the large bowl containing the squid rings and marinated cherry tomatoes.
Gently mix with a spoon or your hands to evenly distribute the dressing over all the squid and cherry tomatoes.
For an extra crunchy touch, add a spoon or two of breadcrumbs to the mixture and mix again.
In this way, the flavors of the chopped spices and olives will blend perfectly with the squid and cherry tomatoes, creating an even richer and tastier dish.
Now that you have combined the chopped spices and olives with the squid and marinated cherry tomatoes, it’s time to bake everything to create a truly irresistible dish!
Preheat the oven to 392°F.
Arrange the seasoned squid on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Make sure they are evenly distributed for optimal cooking.
Season the squid with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil, salt, and black pepper to taste.
Bake the squid for about 20 minutes, or until golden and tender. Cooking times may vary slightly depending on the size of the squid and the oven used. Check the cooking from time to time to prevent the squid from burning.
Right after baking the squid, it’s time to serve them. Remove the Mediterranean baked squid from the oven and let them rest for about ten minutes. This will allow the juices to distribute evenly, making the squid even more tender and flavorful.
Right after baking the squid, it’s time to serve them. Remove the Mediterranean baked squid from the oven and let them rest for about ten minutes. This will allow the juices to distribute evenly, making the squid even more tender and flavorful.
Plate the squid with their marinade of cherry tomatoes and chopped spices and olives.
Serve the squid still hot and steaming, to best enhance their flavors and aromas.
Bon appétit from DadCook!
Tips to enhance the flavor:
Add grated lemon peel to the chopped spices and olives: the freshness and aroma of lemon will perfectly complement the Mediterranean flavors of the dish.
Wine pairing with Mediterranean baked squid:
Mediterranean baked squid is a dish rich in flavors and aromas, that combines the delicacy of squid with the bold taste of chopped spices and olives, and the freshness of marinated cherry tomatoes. To best enhance the characteristics of this dish, it is important to choose a white wine capable of balancing the flavors and completing the dining experience.
Here are some wine-food pairing tips:
Fresh and mineral white wine: a white wine with mineral notes and good acidity will help balance the saltiness of the chopped spices and olives and the richness of the squid. Among the possible choices, a Vermentino from Sardinia, a Sauvignon Blanc from Friuli Venezia Giulia, or a Greco di Tufo from Campania could be perfect.
Structured and complex white wine: if you prefer a fuller-bodied and structured white wine, an oak-aged Chardonnay or a Viognier could be interesting pairings. These wines will hold up to the intense flavors of the dish and add a note of aromatic complexity.
Fresh and lively rosé: a fresh and lively rosé, such as a Salina Rosato or a Cerasuolo d’Abruzzo, can be an interesting alternative for those who prefer a wine with a lighter color. Its freshness and fragrance will accompany the flavors of the dish without overpowering them.
In addition to the type of wine, the serving temperature is also important: a fresh white wine should be served at a temperature of about 50-54°F, while a structured white wine or a rosé could be served at a slightly higher temperature, around 54-57°F. Ultimately, the choice of wine to pair with Mediterranean baked squid is a matter of personal taste.
However, by following these tips, you can surely find the perfect wine to best enhance the flavors of this dish and make your culinary experience truly memorable.
