Grilled Squid With Fried Capers And Skordalia Sauce Recipes

GRILLED SQUID WITH FRIED CAPERS AND SKORDALIA SAUCE

Steps:

• In a medium saucepan, cover potatoes with cold water by 1 inch. Bring to a boil, and add salt. Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook until the potatoes are just tender when pierced with a fork, about 15 minutes. Drain in a colander, and let the potatoes cool completely. Slice into 1-inch pieces; set aside.
• In a small saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add capers; cook, stirring occasionally, until crisp, about 3 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate.
• Heat grill to medium. Cut squid bodies open to make flat pieces. Holding a sharp knife at a 30-degree angle, score the inner side of each squid in a crosshatch pattern, being careful not to cut all the way through. Toss the squid bodies and tentacles with 2 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill squid, turning once, until just cooked through and nicely charred (squid will curl up as it cooks), 2 to 3 minutes. Be careful not to overcook because squid will toughen. Cut into 2-inch pieces.
• In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice and remaining 6 tablespoons oil. In a medium bowl, combine reserved potatoes, fennel, and parsley. Coat with half the lemon mixture, and season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, toss squid with remaining lemon mixture; season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, place about 2 tablespoons skordalia sauce on each plate. Top with a mound of potato salad. Place squid on top, and garnish with the capers.

GRILLED SQUID (CALAMARI)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients. Put the skewers in a container, cover with water, and soak for at least 30 minutes while you prepare the squid.
• Prepare a high (500 F to 600 F) gas or charcoal grill fire. Rinse the squid under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels.
• Cut the squid bodies lengthwise down one side and open flat.
• Cut the tentacles in half if too large.
• In a bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper.
• Add the squid bodies and tentacles to the bowl, tossing to evenly coat.
• Thread the squid bodies lengthwise onto skewers so they lie flat.
• Thread the tentacles onto separate skewers.
• Grill, turning once, just until opaque, about 2 minutes.
• Remove the squid from skewers and pile them on a platter.
• Sprinkle with parsley and serve with lemon wedges.

STUFFED AND GRILLED CALAMARI APPETIZER

Steps:

• For the filling: Saute leeks in olive oil in a large saute pan over medium-low heat until softened, 7 to 10 minutes. Add shallot and garlic and saute 3 minutes. Add wine, parsley, vinegar, tarragon, salt, chile flakes and lemon juice and turn heat to high. Cook until reduced 85 percent, 3 to 5 minutes
• Turn heat to medium and add butter. Let melt, then add prawns. Cook, stirring, until just done, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in breadcrumbs to absorb any remaining liquids and remove from heat.
• Transfer to a bowl and chill completely before stuffing calamari.
• For the calamari: Insert a funnel into the open end of a calamari.
• Fill the funnel about halfway with the filling and push it into the calamari, filling it only three-quarters of the way full, to allow for shrinkage as it cooks. Use a toothpick to skewer the tentacles to the opening of the calamari. Repeat with remaining filling and calamari.
• Preheat a grill or saute pan over medium-high heat. Cook the calamari, 2 minutes per side.
• Arrange grilled calamari on a serving dish and serve with warm Roasted Yellow Bell Sauce and sprinkled with Fried Capers.
• Roast pepper on open flame of stovetop burner, turning as outside blackens, until roasted on all sides. Place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let cool for 5 minutes. Remove outer burnt skin of pepper, cut into quarters and remove stem and seeds.
• Place pepper in a small food processor.
• Steep garlic in hot cream for 2 minutes, then add to processor. Add butter, parsley, shallot, vinegar, salt and lemon juice and process to make a smooth puree.
• Rinse capers with water, then squeeze with hands to express any juices. Drain very well.
• Heat oil to 350 degrees F in a small saucepan over medium heat. Carefully add capers to hot oil and fry until darkened in color and capers have become crispy, approximately 7 minutes. Drain on paper towels.