People ask me where I get ideas from for cooking my family dinner. Its funny really, 1 night I'll do a roast and then the next I'll do some random dish I have never cooked before! That's because sometimes I just get a sudden urge for a certain type of food or a particular ingredient.And so began my philosophy of - it all starts with 1 ingredient.
It may be a case of just opening your fridge and seeing a piece of steak or chicken thighs. Or, it may be a case of what happened to me the other day - just a random 'craving' for something. I was craving squid!
So my number 1 ingredient had been decided and then it was a matter of 'building' up the idea. What else do you have in your fridge or pantry that will complement that ingredient. The below idea is what I came up with and I didn't have to think very hard. I had it all in my fridge and this is always a great idea to use left over or that last bit of zucchini etc that you have left. Also if you love chorizo as much as me - you will love the flavours of this dish. The whole time I was cooking it I was thinking - this is either going to be the best dish I have ever cooked or the worst! Thank god it wasn't the latter. My husband loved it!
As always, muck around with the flavours - add in something I didn't and let me know how you go. And as always - have fun inventing your meal!
Basic Ingredients (well the ones I used anyway)
- 4 squid tubes (I realised though that 1 large tube is enough for a medium to good size eater) Make sure they are VERY clean but your fish monger should have done this already for you!
- Chorizo
- Capsicum (I had half a left over one in the fridge ha ha)
- Mushrooms
- Spanish onions
- Garlic - fresh for this is better
- Zucchini
- Sun dried tomatoes
- Chicken (not necessary but again I had a couple of left over thigh fillets cooked - throw them in)
- Turmeric
- Cumin
- Smoked paprika
- Rice
Basic Method - here is the easy part!
- Cook your rice and flavour with turmeric and paprika.
- Cook off all of your ingredients minus the squid of course in a pan. As always start with the garlic, onions etc then add in ingredients in cooking time order. For example, the Chorizo needs the longest so add it first, then the vegies and last the mushrooms as they don't need much time. Also add in all your spices!
- Stir your mixture through your rice and allow to cool slightly (so you don't burn the you-know-what out of your hands when stuffing the squid!)
- Stuff your squid and pop a tooth pic in each end to secure (I have left the tooth pic in my picture so you can see)
- Massage the outside your squid with some good quality oil
- Pop your squid in a very HOT pan and cook on each side for about 30-45 seconds.
- Then put your squid in a oven (about 180) for another 5 or so minutes - NO longer as your squid can get tuff if over cooked.
Helpful hint
I soaked my squid in milk for about 10 minutes before cooking - it makes sure it is nice and tender! Obviously rinse well before cooking! Serve with lemon - it makes it so yummy!
Until next time remember - it all starts with 1 ingredient.... What is your ingredient????
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