Name: Salt and pepper baby squid
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 15 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 4
Ingredients: 800 gram whole baby squid; 1/4 cup (35g) corn-flour; 1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper; 2 teaspoon sea salt flakes; rice bran oil, to deep-fry; 2 birdseye chillies, sliced finely; coriander leaves, to serve; lime cheeks, to serve

Salt and pepper baby squid

Golden, crispy squid pieces are beautiful tossed with salt, pepper and flour and lightly fried. Served with fresh lime, coriander and chilli, this makes a delicious starter or light meal.

Serves 4

Prep

25M

Cook

15M

Total

40M

Ingredients

800 gram whole baby squid

1/4 cup (35g) corn-flour

1 tablespoon freshly ground black pepper

2 teaspoon sea salt flakes

rice bran oil, to deep-fry

2 birdseye chillies, sliced finely

coriander leaves, to serve

lime cheeks, to serve

Method

1.To prepare squid: Rinse under cold running water. Gently pull tentacles to separate heads from hoods. Remove and discard intestines and quills from hoods. Remove and discard heads and beaks from tentacles, cutting just below eyes so tentacles remain in one piece. Rinse hoods and tentacles under cold running water. Pat dry with paper towel.

2.Cut hoods along one side and lay flat. Using a sharp knife, make shallow diagonal cuts on inside surface of hoods to create a crisscross pattern. Cut into 5cm x 3cm pieces. Combine cornflour, pepper and salt in a bowl. Dust batches of squid in cornflour mixture, shaking off excess.

3.Add enough oil to a medium pan to reach a depth of 6cm. Heat on medium-high to 180°C (or until a cube of bread turns golden in 30 seconds). Place squid in batches into a deep-frying basket. Lower basket into oil and deep-fry 2 minutes, until light golden. Drain on paper towel.

4.Divide squid between paper cones or pile onto a large platter. Top with chilli and coriander and season with pepper. Serve with lime cheeks.

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