Squid With Brandy Sauce Recipes

SQUID WITH BRANDY & CREAM

Steps:

• Melt the butter in a casserole dish, then add the onion, thyme and bay leaves with a good grind of black pepper. Gently fry for about 15 mins until the onion is golden and soft. Only at this point stir in the garlic. Turn off the heat and stir in the passata. Leave to stand.
• Cut the squid in half lengthways down the cone. Chop each half widthways into 2.5cm/1in ribbons. Cut up the fins and the tentacles to a similar size. Dry off any wetness from the squid with kitchen paper. It must be as dry as possible so it will fry and colour better.
• Get a large frying pan and put on a high heat. When the pan is intensely hot, throw in a third of the squid with a small slug of sunflower oil and a generous pinch of salt. Fry hard, stirring occasionally, until well coloured. Tip the squid into the casserole. Repeat with the remaining squid, cooking it in batches twice more, adding more salt and oil with each.
• Return the casserole to the heat and add 100ml water. Stir well and bring to a simmer. Add 100ml of the brandy and put the lid on. Simmer very gently for 40 mins, then another 20 mins with the lid slightly off, allowing the juices to reduce a little. When tender, stir in the rest of the brandy and the cream, and serve scattered with parsley.

FRESH YOUNG SQUID WITH SCALLOPS

Steps:

• Mix all sauce ingredients in a small bowl. Set aside.
• To clean the squid: Separate the tentacles from the body, removing the entrails as you pull. Cut the tentacles just above the eyes and with your fingers, remove the hard beak and cut the body lengthwise. Peel off the skin and rinse with cold water. Pat dry with paper towels. Score the body with a sharp knife diagonally (every 1/4-inch around entire body of squid, being careful not to cut through the body). This process makes the squid more tender.
• To clean the scallops: Remove the muscle from the outside of each scallop and rinse them in cold water; drain thoroughly.
• Heat the vegetable oil to 300 degrees F.
• Blanch the squid for 5 seconds. Remove from oil and drain.
• Reheat the vegetable oil to 300 degrees F and add the scallops. Fry for about 1 minute. Remove from oil and set aside.
• Reheat the oil to 325 degrees F and blanch the broccoli florets for 10 seconds. Drain thoroughly.
• Remove the oil from wok and reheat wok. Add the chopped ginger and minced garlic. Cook until garlic becomes fragrant. Add the squid, scallops, and broccoli. Continue to cook and stir on high heat until all ingredients are heated, about 1 minute. Sprinkle with rice wine. Stir in the sauce mixture and continue to cook until sauce thickens. Turn off heat and serve.

CALAMARI ON PASTA

Steps:

• Cut squid bodies in half lengthwise and then cut in half widthwise. If the tentacles are large, cut them in half lengthwise. Set aside.
• Heat olive oil in a large saute pan. Add garlic and shallot and cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes. Add tomato sauce, 1/4 cup water and white wine. Cook sauce over high heat for 5 minutes, until it reduces and thickens. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Add all but 1 tablespoon of the parsley to the tomato sauce, lower heat, and simmer, uncovered, for about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, then add linguini or spaghetti and cook until tender (time will vary according to freshness of pasta, but it should take at least 7 minutes). Drain well, shaking colander gently to remove excess moisture.
• Add calamari to tomato sauce, and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, or until just cooked through. Taste for seasoning, and add more salt and pepper, if desired. Add the drained pasta and toss well. To serve, garnish with remaining parsley.

SQUID SAUTE WITH TOMATOES AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Cut the squid into 1/4-inch rings. Wash, dry and place in a mixing bowl.
• Puree the garlic with 1/4 cup of the olive oil in a blender until smooth. Pour over the squid. Add the salt and pepper, tossing to combine.
• Heat a dry medium skillet over high heat. Then add a generous tablespoon of the remaining olive oil and heat until almost smoking. Pour in one-third of the marinated squid and saute about 30 seconds. Stir in one-third each of the tomatoes and cilantro and cook about 2 minutes longer, just until the tomatoes dissolve and the garlic colors slightly. Transfer to a platter, wipe out the skillet and repeat two times. Serve hot over rice or Spinach Pilaf.

SQUID IN RED WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet with a lid, and turn the heat to medium-high. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, until lightly browned. Add the squid and stir, then lower the heat, and add the wine. Stir, add the thyme, and cover.
• Cook at a slow simmer until the squid is tender, about 45 minutes. Uncover, season with salt and pepper to taste, raise the heat, and cook until most but not all of the liquid is evaporated. Stir in the remaining olive oil, garnish with parsley, and serve.

BRANDY SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix dry ingredients and then stir them into a cup of boiling water.
• Boil for 5 minutes and then add butter, brandy, and vanilla.
• Serve hot over mince pie or gingerbread.