Unlocking the Secrets of Perfectly Grilled Dried Squid: 6 Techniques for Culinary Excellence

Dried squid, a culinary gem adored and relished by many, especially aficionados of social gatherings.

There exist myriad methods to craft dried squid into exquisite, flavorful dishes. Nonetheless, grilling remains the swift, uncomplicated approach that preserves the essence of the squid. Yet, achieving delectable grilled squid eludes many. Today, PasGo presents you with techniques to grill squid to tender succulence without parching. The crux of delicious grilled squid lies in selecting prime specimens. Refer to the following guide to procure the finest dried squid.

Selecting Premium Dried Squid for Optimal Flavor

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting Premium Dried Squid:

The Flour Coating on Dried Squid

Fresh, high-quality dried squid will exhibit a thick white flour coating across its entire body. Therefore, when purchasing dried squid, opt for those with a thicker flour coating for superior quality.

The Dryness Level of the Squid

The Thickness of Dried Squid

Choose only medium-sized ones with thick flesh and straight bodies. When grilled, these will expand into juicy, tender chunks, tearing apart easily and deliciously flavorful. Poor quality squid often exhibits red spots on the body, usually with pale red patches around the eyes.

Delicious Dried Squid

4 Ways to Grill Delicious Dried Squid

1. Grilling Dried Squid with Alcohol

Preparing Tools and Ingredients for Grilling Dried Squid:

- Dried squid 250 grams (approximately 3 - 4 pieces).

- Medical alcohol 70 or 90 degrees. If you have white wine at home, you can also use it for grilling squid.

- Grilling rack.

- Old pan or deep dish.

Ingredients for Grilling Dried Squid with Alcohol

Steps to Grill Dried Squid:

- Pour a sufficient amount of alcohol into the pan or dish.

- Arrange the squid in a single layer on the grilling rack or submerge the whole squid in alcohol. Let it soak for 1-2 minutes for the alcohol to penetrate the squid. When grilling, ensure the squid cooks evenly from the inside out.

- Use a lighter to ignite the fire. Flip the grilling rack to cook both sides evenly. Alternatively, use chopsticks to flip the squid to ensure even cooking on all sides.

- Grill until the squid becomes firm and slightly golden brown, emitting a fragrant aroma. Normally, it takes about 3-4 minutes to cook.

- Wrap the cooked squid in newspaper. Use a pestle to gently pound the squid to make it tender and fluffy.

- When using, use your hands to individually tear each tentacle. Remove the hard part in the middle of the back bone and then tear the body horizontally from head to tail.

- Grilled squid dipped in chili sauce is the perfect flavor. The chewy squid, the more you chew, the sweeter the meat, combined with the spicy taste of chili sauce, is the perfect combination.

Dried Squid Grilled with Alcohol

Notes on the Grilling Process:

If you opt out of using a grilling tray and instead immerse the whole squid in alcohol, only pour an adequate amount of alcohol. Wait until the fire burns off all the alcohol absorbed into the squid before using. Because consuming medical alcohol is not advisable for health.

Since squid tentacles are usually thicker and tougher than the body, to evenly cook all parts, grill the tentacles and body separately.

Keep lighters and flammable substances away from the squid grilling area.

Keep unused alcohol bottles or liquor away from flames as pure alcohol is highly flammable, posing a dangerous fire hazard.

Close the alcohol bottle cap for later use as alcohol easily evaporates.

2. Grilling dried squid using charcoal

When it comes to delicious ways to grill dried squid, we can't overlook grilling with charcoal.

Use charcoal and light it up. Place the squid on the grill and flip it evenly on all sides.

However, if grilling only dried squid separately, it's less common because the time to make the charcoal red is very long. But for such a simple dish, we have many other ways. Therefore, in a barbecue party, with a charcoal stove ready, we can conveniently grill dried squid.

Grilling dried squid using charcoal

3. Grilling dried squid using gas stove

In modern society, gas stoves are now one of the common appliances found in most kitchen spaces at home.

You just need to ignite the flame and place the grilling tray on the gas stove. Begin flipping both sides of the dried squid until cooked through.

However, it's advisable to avoid placing the dried squid too close to the gas stove flame, as this can easily cause the squid to burn, which is not good for our health when we enjoy it.

Don't overlook the convenience and quickness of grilling dried squid using a gas stove!

Grilling dried squid using a chicken cooker

4. Grilling dried squid using an oven

If you already have a convenient oven in your kitchen, why not utilize it to grill delicious dried squid for the whole family to enjoy?

Grilling dried squid using an oven is extremely simple, you just need to follow these steps:

Place the dried squid flat, pressing it onto the grilling tray.

Use a grill rack to press down firmly because when one side of the squid is cooked, the squid body will curl.

Turn on the oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Place the squid tray in the oven, flip the squid every 1 minute to ensure even cooking.

With just 2 - 3 minutes and simple steps, you'll have a deliciously fragrant grilled dried squid to enjoy with the whole family.

Grilling dried squid using an oven

5. Grilling dried squid using a microwave

A tool that few would think of, yet can be used to grill dried squid, is the microwave. Grilling dried squid using a microwave is also extremely simple, just follow these steps!

Grilling with a microwave is very quick and convenient. Simply place the squid inside. Set to medium heat. Grill for about 2-3 minutes.

Open the microwave and take out the squid to enjoy.

The downside of this grilling method is that the moisture inside the squid will evaporate due to the heat, making it feel dry and less sweet when eaten.

Grilling dried squid using a microwave

6. Grilling dried squid using an air fryer

Overall, grilling dried squid using an air fryer is quite easy, taking only about 5-10 minutes for deliciously fragrant dried squid to come out of the oven.

Step 1: Prepare the dried squid and the air fryer

Firstly, preheat the air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius for 7 minutes, as preheating like this will make grilling the squid faster.

If the dried squid has been stored in the refrigerator, it should be taken out before grilling to avoid being too cold, allowing it to cook faster inside.

Step 2: Grilling dried squid using an air fryer

Arrange the squid in the air fryer, then set the timer for 5 minutes, grill at 200 degrees Celsius.

After 5 minutes, check the squid, if it's not golden and crispy to your liking, you can grill for another 2-3 minutes.

Grilling dried squid using an air fryer

The grilled dried squid is now ready. Grilled dried squid has a fascinating characteristic, wherever you grill it, its enticing aroma will draw other family members to it. On a relaxing weekend, sit down together to enjoy grilled dried squid and chat for the most relaxing moments with family and loved ones.

Here are 6 extremely simple ways to grill dried squid that you can do right at home, wishing you deliciousness and success with these grilling methods!