Stuffed big Squid
- Helena Radulovic Toffolon
- 19 hours ago
- 6 min read
One of the most delightful dishes to grace the table in Italian cuisine is the wonderfully prepared stuffed calamari, a dish that embodies the essence of Mediterranean flavors. The combination of tender squid filled with a savory mixture and bathed in a rich tomato sauce dressing creates an unforgettable culinary experience.
Preparation Overview
The preparation of this dish is remarkably simple and can be executed in a very short amount of time. Once the initial steps are completed, the oven takes over, allowing the flavors to meld beautifully while you attend to other tasks or simply relax. The simplicity of this recipe does not compromise its taste; rather, it enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients used.
Ingredients Required
To create this delicious dish, you will need the following key ingredients:
- Large Squid: Choose fresh, large squid, as they provide the perfect canvas for stuffing. Their tender texture, when cooked properly, offers a delightful bite that pairs wonderfully with the stuffing.
- Garlic: Fresh garlic is essential for imparting a robust flavor. Minced finely, it releases its aromatic oils, enhancing the overall taste of the dish.
- Parsley: Fresh parsley adds a bright, herbaceous note that balances the richness of the calamari and complements the other flavors in the stuffing.
- Olive Oil: A high-quality extra virgin olive oil is crucial for both the stuffing and the sauce. It adds depth and richness to the dish, while also helping to keep the calamari moist during cooking.
- Salt and Pepper: These are fundamental seasonings that enhance the flavors of all the ingredients. Be sure to season to taste for the best results.
- Crushed Hot Pepper: A pinch of crushed hot pepper adds a subtle kick to the dish, elevating the flavors and providing a gentle warmth that contrasts beautifully with the sweetness of the tomato sauce.
- Breadcrumbs: Fresh or dried breadcrumbs are used to create the stuffing mixture. They provide texture and help bind the ingredients together, ensuring a satisfying filling.
- Additional Parsley: More fresh parsley is needed for garnishing, bringing a pop of color and freshness to the final presentation.
Tomato Sauce Dressing
For the sauce, you will need:
- Tomato Pesto Sauce: This sauce serves as the base and is rich in flavor, combining the sweetness of tomatoes with aromatic herbs. It creates a luscious coating for the stuffed calamari.
- Olive Oil: Just as with the stuffing, olive oil is used in the sauce to enhance its flavor and texture.
- Salt and Pepper: These seasonings are again essential for balancing the sauce, ensuring it complements the stuffed calamari perfectly.
- Parsley: Chopped fresh parsley is added to the sauce for an extra layer of flavor and a vibrant appearance.
Cooking Instructions
To prepare the stuffed calamari, begin by cleaning the squid thoroughly, ensuring that all internal parts are removed. In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, chopped parsley, breadcrumbs, olive oil, salt, pepper, and crushed hot pepper to create the stuffing. Carefully stuff each squid with this mixture, taking care not to overfill them to allow for expansion during cooking.
Once all the calamari are stuffed, place them in a baking dish and cover them with the tomato pesto sauce. Drizzle a bit more olive oil over the top, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Bake in a preheated oven until the calamari are tender and the flavors have melded together beautifully, typically around 25 to 30 minutes.
Final Touches
After baking, allow the dish to rest for a few minutes before serving. This will help the flavors settle and make it easier to plate. Serve the stuffed calamari hot, garnished with additional chopped parsley for a fresh touch. Pair it with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious sauce or a light salad for a complete meal.
Conclusion
In conclusion, this wonderful Italian-style stuffed calamari with tomato sauce dressing is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a visually stunning dish that brings the warmth of Italian cooking to your dining table. Its simplicity in preparation combined with the rich flavors makes it a perfect choice for both casual dinners and special occasions. Enjoy the delightful experience of creating and savoring this exquisite dish!
Ingredients: simple, total time: 80 min., 4 servings
1. 1 kg large fresh Squids/ 4-5 pieces
3 cloves of garlic/minced
pinch of red pepper flakes/ optional
120 ml dry white wine
1 cup of breadcrumbs
1 Tbsp tomato puree
2-3 Tbsp of parsley leaves/ finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste
Olive oil EVO to taste
150 ml water/ divided, or as needed
Preparation:
Preparation Squid:
At this stage, ensure all ingredients are prepared as previously instructed.
Detach the tentacles from the squid's body and remove the plastic-like cartilage from the body. Set both aside.
Preparation Tentacles:
Pour olive oil into an iron pan and heat it over low to moderate heat.
Add the chopped garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, until it becomes fragrant, approximately 10 seconds. Immediately incorporate a pinch of hot pepper and stir, reducing the heat to prevent the garlic from burning.
Promptly add the tentacles and a small amount of olive oil, cooking for about one minute. Then, add the wine and simmer until the alcohol has evaporated and the liquid has reduced in the pan, stirring occasionally. Once done, turn off the heat.
In the meantime, turn on the oven at 180 °C.
Make Filling for Squid:
Allow the tentacles to cool for approximately 10-15 minutes. Once cooled, chop them into small pieces and place them in the blender container, add the rest of the sauce from the pan to the blender, breadcrumbs, finely chopped parsley, a pinch of salt and pepper to taste, and sufficient olive oil to form a paste from this mixture. I poured it approximately 60 - 70 ml
Blend thoroughly until a uniform cream is achieved.
Stuffing Squid:
Once the paste is prepared, use a small spoon to fill the squid, ensuring they are only half filled, as the ingredients will expand during baking. Leave about three fingers of space.
Using a brush, coat the glass and suitable container with olive oil.
Squid Dressing:
In a small cup, add about 60 ml of olive oil and a spoonful of tomato pesto sauce, about 100 ml, one spoon of chopped parsley, salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.
Using a brush, evenly coat the squid on all sides and place it in a glass baking dish.
Add a small amount of water and bake for 50-60 minutes, replenishing the water as needed. Alternatively, broth may be used in place of water.
Baking:
Bake the squid until it achieves a golden brown color, ensuring to turn it carefully during the baking process.
This preparation of squid pairs well with rice or boiled potatoes accompanied by Swiss chard.
Serve warm, garnished with slices of lemon.
Buon appetito!
"May your kitchen always be filled with wonderful aromas, your table with good food and your heart with the joy of sharing" ☕❤️🌹
NOTE:
After 25 minutes, I turned the squid to the other side and baked them for the same amount of time.
If you have excess filling for the filling, distribute it in a baking dish, and then lay the squid.
You can combine these stuffed squids with potato salad, French fries, cold seasonal salads, tomato cucumber, matavilz, arugula, or regular green salads, boiled potatoes with Swiss chard, mashed potatoes, the choice is yours. I deliberately combined these stuffed squids with the Matavilz salad because it is a low-calorie salad and very healthy. Since there are a lot of crumbs in the filling, I think it's the best combination!
With this mixture, you can also stuff smaller medium-sized squid.
If you have leftover stuffed squid from lunch, it is advisable to consume it either in the evening or the following day. Refrigeration is not necessary if you plan to eat it on the same day.
If you choose to eat it the next day, please cover the squid with aluminum foil and place it in the refrigerator.
Do you want to try something a little different?
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