Asian Recipes - Sambal Squid Recipe

Ingredients

• 2 tbsp/30 ml vegetable oil

• 1 large onion, sliced

• 1 lb/500 g cleaned squid tubes, cut in 1/4-inch/5-mm rings

Spice Paste:

• 4 candle nuts or macadamia nuts

• 20 dried red chilies, soaked in 2 cups/500 ml boiling water to soften or 2 to 4 tbsp/30 to 60 ml ground chili paste

• 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped

• 5 shallot onion, finely minced

• 1 tbsp/15 ml shrimp paste

Seasoning:

• 1/2 cup/125 ml tamarind water

• 2 tbsp/30 ml sugar

• 2 tsp/10 ml salt

Serves 4

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Method:

1. Using a mortar and pestle or a small blender or food processor, pound or grind the spice paste ingredients in the order given until they form a coarse paste. Prepare all remaining ingredients and have at hand.

2. Preheat a wok or other deep. heavy-bottomed pan over high heat. Add the oil. As soon as the oil is hot. add the spice paste and onion. Stir well to combine.

3. Continue to cook for 1 minute while the spice paste imparts its flavor to the oil.

4. Add the squid tubes and stir-fry over high heat for 1 minute or until the squid changes color. Add the tamarind water, sugar and salt.

5. Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning, adding more sugar or salt as desired. Serve immediately.