Recipes

Jojo’s Butter Garlic & Lemon Calamari (Squid)

For me, a dish has to have the right flavours and presentation. Being a mom of two naughty toddlers I don’t have too much time to spend in the kitchen. So I have to prepare quick but yet super yummy dishes, keeping the spice in check.

Ingredients

  • 600 Grams Squid Tubes (cleaned & cut into 1/2 inch rings)
  • 4 ½ Tablespoons Corn Flour or Rice Flour (for thickening)
  • 2 Cups Vegetable Oil (for frying)
  • 100 Gram Butter
  • 1 Garlic Pod (finely shopped)
  • 1 Red Chili (finely chopped)
  • 2 Teaspoons Peppercorns (coarsely ground)
  • 1 ½ Teaspoons Rock Salt (coarsely ground)
  • ½ Teaspoon Sugar
  • 1 Teaspoon Chicken Stock (Maggie cube)
  • 1 Lemon (juice)
  • 1 Cup Milk
  • Coriander or Parsley (for garnishing)
  • Salt & Pepper to Taste

Preparation

Prep: 10 minutes
Cooking: 25 minutes

  1. Wash and drain the squid rings. Pat dry on kitchen paper.
  2. In a bowl add the squid, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 teaspoon pepper and mix well.
  3. Then add 1 ½ tablespoons of corn flour and mix well to lightly coat all the rings.
  4. Heat 2 cups of vegetable in a deep pan and flash fry the squid rings. Remove with a slotted spoon and keep aside.
  5. In a deep non-stick pan add 100g butter, once the butter has melted slightly, add garlic and red chili and toss for a minute (make sure you don’t burn the garlic).
  6. Then add in the fried squid rings and toss well in the butter garlic sauce.
  7. To this add ½ teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon pepper, ½ teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon chicken stock and juice of 1 lime. Mix it all up.
  8. Then add in the 3 tablespoons corn flour and mix quickly to avoid any lumps (this will make the consistency of the butter garlic sauce a bit thicker).
  9. To further thicken the sauce, add 1 cup of hot milk (optional).
  10. Take it out in a serving dish and garnish with coriander or parsley.

Watch

USEFUL TIPS

Use Amul butter as it gives an amazing flavour and it’s well-salted. The use of fresh garlic gives more flavour as compared to the cleaned and packed ones. I used 1 red chilli as I have kids but if you like more spice add one more. Do watch out for the salt when adding, as the Amul butter and maggie soup cube are salty already. If you prefer a lightly thickened sauce then skip the milk and finish with the cornflour only.
joanna fernandes

As a wedding planner, late nights and last minutes were an everyday occurrence. There was barely any time to step foot in the kitchen and when I was compelled to cook, it resulted in bitter resentment. But when it comes to relishing food, I am all for it. My love of travel took me around the world, exploring and indulging in food. After I got married and with two toddlers a year apart, cooking never featured on my to-do list. Maybe once in a while, I would try making some fancy continental dishes. Ever since the lockdown, I was left with no choice but had to start cooking and it has grown on me. Back in school, my friends called me Jojo and Jojo In The Kitchen is something I never thought was ever possible. But here I am, in my kitchen, making quick and yummy dishes for my kids! Moral of the story? Never say never.