Calamari Chile And Watermelon Salad Recipes

CALAMARI, CHILE, AND WATERMELON SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Whisk together all ingredients in a bowl.
• Make the salad: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Prepare an ice-water bath. Using a kitchen mallet, pound both sides of calamari bodies a few times to tenderize. Insert a sharp knife into calamari bodies, cut along seam, and then open like a book. Lightly score inner sides at 1/4-inch intervals. Cut in half lengthwise to form 2 pieces, then slice into triangles, each about 4 inches tall by 1 1/2 inches wide. (Leave tentacles whole, or halve if large.)
• Blanch calamari in boiling water for 30 seconds. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to ice-water bath to stop the cooking. Drain, and pat dry. Place calamari in a nonreactive bowl.
• Put cockles into a saucepan, and cover with water by 1 inch. Cover, and simmer, until shells open, about 7 minutes. Drain; discard any unopened shells.
• Add cockles, watermelon, scallions, cilantro, mint, chile, pickled onion, and dressing to calamari, and toss to combine. Garnish with cilantro and mint.

WATERMELON-BERRY SALAD WITH CHILE DRESSING AND LOTS OF HERBS

Steps:

• Make the dressing:
• Combine all the dressing ingredients in a blender and blend on high speed until smooth, about 2 minutes. It keeps in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. Shake well before using.
• Make the salad:
• Cut the watermelon into 3 x 1 x 1-inch sticks, flicking out seeds as you go. You will have about 6 cups. Chill the watermelon in the fridge for at least an hour.
• Combine the chilled watermelon and onion in a large mixing bowl and season all over with the flaky salt. Add the berries, lemongrass, and dressing, then toss gently but well. Drizzle on the olive oil, add the herbs, and gently toss once more. Transfer to a platter to serve.

CHILLI & LIME SQUID SALAD

Steps:

• Mix two-thirds of the chillies and the garlic-infused oil in a large bowl and add the squid. Cover with cling film and leave them to marinate for at least 1 hr or overnight in the fridge.
• Just before serving, heat the barbecue or a griddle pan. Combine the avocado slices with the rocket. Divide between 6 small plates or bowls.
• When the barbecue is hot or your griddle pan almost smoking, add the limes, cut-side down. Tip on the squid, pressing lightly with the back of a fish slice to create charred lines. When the squid feels slightly firm, about 1 min 30 secs into cooking, turn over and press down with the fish slice again, cooking for another 1 min 30 secs or until the squid feels firm. Remove and place on a board.
• Slice the squid into 1-2cm rings and top each salad with a few rings and some crispy onions. Serve half a charred lime on the side for squeezing over, with the remaining chilli scattered over and a drizzle of garlic oil.