Stuffed Squid with Rice

 (recipe from here)

Serves 2-4

Ingredients:
For spicy sweet and sour sauce

• 1 tablespoon honey
• ½ tablespoon mustard, mild
• grated zest and juice from 2 limes
• 150 ml sunflower oil
• ½ chili, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped
• lime wedges

For stuffed calamari

• 4 whole calamari (200 g each),
• 1 medium onion, finely chopped
• ½ clove of garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon fresh coriander, finely chopped
• 50 ml ouzo
• 200 g Arborio rice
• 400 ml vegetables stock, hot
• grated zest and juice from ½ a lemon
• 1 tablespoon butter
• fresh thyme, finely chopped
• spicy sweet and sour sauce, for serving

For spicy sweet and sour sauce

In a bowl, add the honey, mustard, lime juice and lime zest.
Whisk until all of the ingredients are completely incorporated.
Start to add the sunflower oil in a slow steady stream, while continuously whisking.
If it becomes too thick, dilute with some water.
Season with salt and pepper to taste.
Thinly slice the chili and finely chop the fresh coriander leaves. Add them to the bowl and mix.
Set aside until needed.

For stuffed calamari

 

Step One

 Preheat oven to 180℃ (350℉) Fan.

Step Two

 Remove the tentacles and innards from the calamari. Cut off the wings. Finely chop the tentacles and wings. Finely chop the innards and set aside until needed. In a pan, sauté the tentacles and wings. Add the ouzo. Let it evaporate and discard the juices in the pan. Add the chopped onion and the minced garlic.
 Sauté for 2 minutes. Add the rice and sauté for 1 minute, until it soaks up all of the juices from the onion and the aromas from the calamari and ouzo.

Step Three

Gradually add the hot vegetable stock.Simmer for about 20 minutes, until the rice soaks up all of the stock.5 minutes before it is ready, add the chopped innards from the calamari and cook.

When the mixture has thickened, remove from heat. Add 1 tablespoon of butter, coriander, lemon zest and lemon juice. Stir and season to taste. Fill the calamari with the rice filling. Seal the opening with a toothpick.

Step Four

  Place a pan over medium to high heat. Let it get very hot and add some olive oil.Add the stuffed calamari and brown on all sides for about 2 minutes.Transfer to a baking pan. Slice them open on the top side. 

 Add a cube of butter, some finely chopped thyme to each. Season them with salt and pepper.Bake for 5 minutes.

Drizzle with some of the spicy sweet and sour sauce and serve.

Poftă Bună!!