SALT PEPPER SQUID RECIPE RECIPES

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.

1. Pick the mint leaves into a small bowl of cold water to ensure they stay super-fresh.
2. Trim the spring onions and halve across the middle, then finely slice lengthways and add to the water bowl.
3. Pat the squid dry with kitchen paper, then use a regular eating knife to lightly score the inside of the squid at ½cm intervals at an angle. Turn the squid through 90° and do the same again to create a criss-cross pattern.
4. When you’re ready to cook, just under half fill a large sturdy pan with oil – the oil should be 8cm deep, but never fill your pan more than half full – and place on a medium-high heat. Use a thermometer to tell when it’s ready (170°C), or add a piece of potato and wait until it turns golden – that’s the sign that it’s ready to go.
5. While it heats, tip 1 heaped tablespoon of white pepper and the flour into a large bowl with a pinch of sea salt. Add the squid, toss and mix together to coat, then leave in the flour for a few minutes while you prick the chillies – if some are bigger, halve and deseed them first – then peel and finely slice the garlic 1mm thick, ideally on a mandolin (use the guard!).
6. When you’re ready to fry, add half the squid and chillies – it’s important to cook in two batches so you don’t overcrowd the pan. When it’s all looking golden and lovely (after about 1½ minutes), add half the garlic for a final minute.
7. Use a slotted spoon to scoop everything into a bowl or pan lined with kitchen paper to drain while you cook the second batch.
8. Whip out the paper, then cut the squid into bite-sized pieces and return to the bowl. Drizzle with the vinegar, add a good pinch of seasoning, the drained mint leaves and spring onion curls, toss it all together and serve right away.