SALT BAKED SQUID RECIPES

Steps:

• Slice the calamari tubes down one side and open them up to lay flat. Score the insides with a knife in a cross-hatch pattern. Set aside.
• Heat a small skillet over high heat with no oil. Add the peppercorns, and toast for a few minutes, stirring constantly, until they start to sizzle and pop. Remove them from the pan and set aside. Add the salt to the pan and cook over high heat until it has turned a gray color. Remove from the heat.
• Grind the salt and pepper with a mortar and pestle or spice grinder until it becomes a fine powder. Transfer to a resealable plastic bag and mix with flour and cornstarch.
• Heat the oil in a wok or heavy skillet over high heat until very hot. Place a few pieces of squid at a time into the bag and shake to coat. Shake off excess and quickly fry them in the oil until browned, turning once. Each one should take about 30 seconds. Serve and eat immediately.

Steps:

• 1. To make the spiced salt, heat a small frying pan over medium-high heat and add the salt. Stir for 30 seconds, just to warm, and remove from the heat. Transfer to a small mortar and pestle, and add the pepper to crush, mixing well.

  2. Combine all the batter ingredients and half a cup of cold water in a large bowl. Dip the squid pieces in the cornflour and sprinkle with half the spiced salt,  then add squid to the batter.

  3. In a wok with a thermometer on the side, heat the oil to 180 degrees. Gently place the squid in the hot oil and move around with chopsticks to stop the pieces from sticking together. Fry for a couple of minutes until golden brown, remove from the oil and place on a plate with kitchen paper to drain.

  4. Quickly but carefully pour the oil off into a stainless-steel container, place wok back on the heat and add two tablespoons of oil, add the garlic, ginger and spring onion and fry for a moment then add the drained squid and toss around with remaining salt. Remove from the wok to a plate and garnish with sprigs of coriander.

  For another Jade Temple recipe, check out Neil Perry's braised duck leg with chestnuts.