Spicy Stir-Fried Squid (Ojingeo Chae Bokkeum)

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) squid, cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces 500g (1.1 lb) squid, cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 onion, thinly sliced 1 onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced 1 bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 carrot, julienned 1 carrot, julienned
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste) 2 tablespoons gochujang (Korean chili paste)
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish
• 2 green onions, sliced diagonally, for garnish 2 green onions, sliced diagonally, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 1.5g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 8g
• Protein: 20g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 2g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pan or wok, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat.
2. 2.
   Add the onion, bell pepper, and carrot to the pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until slightly softened.
3. 3.
   Push the vegetables to one side of the pan and add the minced garlic and grated ginger to the cleared space. Stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant.
4. 4.
   Add the squid to the pan and stir-fry for 2-3 minutes until it starts to turn opaque.
5. 5.
   In a small bowl, whisk together the gochujang, soy sauce, honey, and sesame oil. Pour the sauce over the squid and vegetables, stirring well to coat everything evenly.
6. 6.
   Continue to stir-fry for another 2-3 minutes until the squid is fully cooked and the sauce has thickened slightly.
7. 7.
   Remove from heat and garnish with sesame seeds and green onions.
8. 8.
   Serve hot with steamed rice.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Squid — Make sure to clean the squid thoroughly by removing the innards and the transparent cartilage. Score the squid lightly to create a diamond pattern, which helps it cook evenly and enhances its texture.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a milder version, reduce the amount of gochujang in the sauce.
• Feel free to add other vegetables such as zucchini or mushrooms to customize the dish to your liking.
• For an extra kick of flavor, marinate the squid in a mixture of soy sauce, garlic, and ginger for 30 minutes before cooking.
• Adjust the spiciness by adding more or less gochujang according to your taste preference.
• Serve the Spicy Stir-Fried Squid with a side of kimchi to complement the flavors.

Serving advice

Serve the Spicy Stir-Fried Squid hot over a bed of steamed rice. Garnish with sesame seeds and green onions for added freshness and visual appeal.

Presentation advice

Arrange the colorful stir-fried squid and vegetables on a plate, allowing the vibrant hues to shine through. Sprinkle sesame seeds and green onions on top for an attractive finishing touch.