Garlic Squid

Name: Garlic Squid
Yield: 2
Cuisine: Spanish
Ingredients: 500g southern calamari, cleaned; 3 cloves garlic, crushed; 1 teaspoon sweet smoked pimentón (Spanish paprika); 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1 large brown onion, finely diced; Salt flakes, to taste; 2 tablespoons dry Sherry or white wine; Handful parsley leaves, chopped; Crusty bread, for serving

Spaniards love meat or seafood cooked in oil and garlic: garlic prawns, garlic chicken and garlic squid. I use beautiful southern calamari for this simple tasty dish of calamares al ajillo because I love their delicate flesh, but any squid will work, as will mussels, clams, or even chunks of salmon, tuna or chicken. The fish may break up a little in the sauce but it will still taste delicious! As with virtually every Spanish dish, bread is an essential accompaniment for mopping up the sauce, though I do sometimes serve my garlic squid with rice instead, as the rich red pimentón-spiked sauce works well with it too. Try a glass of chilled red wine alongside this garlic squid, like the De Iuliis Sangiovese Special Release from the Hunter Valley. The combination of red berry fruit and savoury spiciness pairs well with the rich sauce and the bright acidity on the finish balances the oil perfectly.

Serves 2

Ingredients

500g southern calamari, cleaned
(see video below)
3 cloves garlic, crushed
1 teaspoon sweet smoked pimentón (Spanish paprika)
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 large brown onion, finely diced
Salt flakes, to taste
2 tablespoons Sherry or dry white wine
Handful parsley leaves, chopped
Crusty bread, for serving

Method

Cut the tube and flaps of the calamari into strips lengthways; cut the tentacles into halves or quarters.
Combine garlic, pimentón and half the oil in a large bowl.
Add calamari and mix well with your hands. Set aside for 30–60 minutes (or refrigerate for several hours).
Heat a frying pan over medium heat, add remaining oil, onion and a good pinch of salt and stir well, reduce heat to low, cover and cook for 15–20 minutes, stirring often, until tender.
Remove lid, increase heat to medium and cook for a further 10 minutes or so, stirring often, until golden. You can set pan aside at this stage until ready to cook the calamari.
Return pan to high heat, add squid and cook for 30–60 seconds, turning often, until opaque all over.
Add Sherry or wine, reduce heat to low, cover and simmer for 20 minutes.
Stir through parsley leaves and serve with bread.