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Salt and Pepper Squid (椒盐鱿鱼)
5 from 64 votes

Salt and Pepper Squid (椒盐鱿鱼)

Salt and Pepper Squid features bite-sized squid pieces coated first in a wet flour paste, then a dry mixture of flour, cornstarch, and baking powder before deep-frying to a light golden crisp. Stir-fried with garlic, ginger, fresh chili, and scallions, it combines a crunchy texture with aromatic, spicy seasoning reminiscent of classic Chinese street food.

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Servings: 2
Calories: 436 kcal
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

  • 250 g squid about 9oz, cut into rings or bite-sized pieces
For deep-frying
  • 7 tablespoon all-purpose flour divided
  • ¼ teaspoon salt see note 1 & 2 for homemade recipe and substitutes, seasoning
  • ¼ teaspoon black pepper
  • 3 tablespoon water
  • 3 tablespoon cornstarch
  • 1 pinch baking powder
  • neutral cooking oil for deep frying, generic cooking oil
For stir-frying
  • 2 tablespoon garlic minced
  • 2 teaspoon ginger minced
  • Chili pepper to taste, minced, fresh
  • 1 talk scallions finely chopped
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt or to taste, seasoning
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

Prepare
    Cup of Yum
  1. Mix 4 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, salt and pepper seasoning with water to form a semi runny paste. Add it to the squid. Stir well to ensure an even and thorough coating.
  2. In a plate, mix the remaining 3 tablespoons of all-purpose flour with cornstarch and baking powder. Put the squid, piece by piece, into the plate and generously coat its entire surface with the dry mix. Lay every finished piece onto a tray without touching one another.
Deep fry
  1. Heat the oil for deep frying in a wok until it reaches 180°C/350°F (see note 3). Gently slide in the squid to fry. Do not overcrowd. You probably need to cook in 2-3 batches.
  2. Once the squid becomes lightly golden, transfer out to a colander or over kitchen paper.
Stir fry
  1. Carefully pour out the hot oil leaving just a coating of oil in the wok. Add garlic, ginger and fresh chilli to the hot wok. Fry until fragrant.
  2. Put in the squid and scallions. Give everything a quick stir then dish out. Sprinkle salt and pepper seasoning over then serve warm.

Notes

  • If unavailable, make salt and pepper seasoning by toasting salt with Sichuan pepper, star anise, fennel seeds, and sesame seeds, then grind finely.
  • Test frying oil temperature by dropping a squid piece and observing immediate bubbling.
  • Fry squid in batches to avoid overcrowding and ensure even crispiness.

Nutrition Information

Serving 1serving Calories 436kcal (22%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 2 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 436

% Daily Value*

Serving 1serving
Calories 436kcal 22%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.