Sambal Sotong (Squid in spicy chilli paste)

Sambal Sotong (Squid in spicy chilli paste)

Or some protein and legume fix after a gym session! Seared fresh tuna steak with home made sambal sauce :)

If you like seafood, you can't go pass Sambal Sotong. It's simply mouth watering, and appetising! It is a simple dish to whip up, even for a quick week day meal :)

Ingredients

1 kg of fresh squid

1 huge brown onion (or 2 of them, if medium sized)

1/2 cup of tamarind juice (Squeeze some tamarind with some water, and strained)

3 tablespoon of tomato sauce (or 1-2 quartered fresh tomatoes, with 1-2 tablespoon of tomato sauce)

Vegetable oil

For blending

12 dried chillies (soaked in hot water), some deseeded
4 fresh red chillies
2 lemongrass stalk, chopped on the white part

2 medium sized red onions

1 shallot

3 cloved of garlic

1-2 cm of shrimp paste (Sold in a block in South East Asian groceries), dry toasted with some sesame oil

A little water and vegetable oil

 Method

1. Heat some vegetable oil in a non stick pan or wok. Fry the blended ingredients (blended into a "rustic" paste. It does not have to be smooth) until fragrant.

2. Add the tamarind juice and the tomato sauce. (Or the fresh tomatoes and tomato sauce).

3. Add a teaspoon of sugar (depending how sweetish or sourish you would like it). Less sugar, if you prefer a more tamarind taste. 

4. Add salt to taste.

5. Add the onions and let it simmer for a few minutes. Then, add the squid.

6. Do not overcook the squid. Turn off the fire on stove as soon as the onions start to wilt a little. 

7. Serve with rice or coconut rice.

Selamat makan!