Pictorial: Steamed Curry Squid (Dim Sum)

[hzrt8w]

Pictorial Recipe

Steamed Curry Squid (Dim Sum) (咖哩蒸魷魚)

This dish may be found in some dim sum restaurants: Steamed curry squid. It is quite easy to make at home. The key is in the marination. I used reconstituted dried squid to make this dish. You may also use fresh squid instead. My experience has been that the smaller the squid, the tastier.

Picture of the finished dish:

Serving Suggestion: 2-3

Preparations:

Main ingredients (upper right, clockwise):

- About 1.5 to 2 lb of reconstituted dried squid

- Garlic, use about 4-5 cloves

- Sa Cha Sauce (Bull Head Brand "Chinese Barbeque Sauce")

- Curry Powder

- (Not shown in picture) Ginger, about 1 inch in length

Soak the reconstituted dried squid in water for about 30 minutes. Rinse it thoroughly. Drain the water well.

To marinate: Place the squid in a mixing bowl.

Add:

- 4-5 cloves of garlic, peeled and pressed

- 3-4 tsp of Sa Cha Sauce

- 2 tsp of curry powder (Madras type)

- 1/2 to 1 tsp of salt (or to taste)

- 2-3 tsp of your favorite hot chili sauce, or slices of 1 small fresh chili pepper

- grated ginger (about 1 inch in length)

- 2 tsp of corn starch

- 3-4 tblsp of chicken broth

- a pinch of sugar (e.g. 1 tsp)

If you are a fan of MSG, this is the time to sprinkle some on top.

Mix the ingredients well.

Transfer the marinated squid to a steaming dish.

Cooking Instructions:

Cooking is very simple: place the dish in a steamer and steam for 20 minutes. To avoid getting excess water condensation in the dish, I advise to place a plate on top to cover the steaming dish to block off some of the water condensation.

This is what the dish looked like after 20 minutes. Scoop and transfer the squid along with some sauces to the serving plates (or small dim sum dishes).

Picture of the finished dish.

Edited August 21, 2006 by hzrt8w (log)

[warlockdilemma]

Ah Leung Kuo,another great but simple dish.Will try it out.

The dilemma is using fresh squid against the dried ones.I personally feel the dried ones have more flavour,while I like the feel and texture of the fresh ones.BTW,is half an hour soaking enough? I have seen my mom soaking it overnight.

Edited August 20, 2006 by warlockdilemma (log)

[hzrt8w]

BTW,is half an hour soaking enough? I have seen my mom soaking it overnight.

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The kind I used is already reconstituted at the store. If you start from the dried squid, then yes a much longer soaking time is needed. But simply by soaking in water is not enough to make it edible (too tough). I believe they need to add something like Sodium Carbonate (Soda) to the water when soaking dried squid. I haven't quite learned the portion or steps. I usually buy the "ready to cook" type of reconstituted squid from the stores.

[warlockdilemma]

  But simply by soaking in water is not enough to make it edible (too tough).  I believe they need to add something like Sodium Carbonate (Soda) to the water when soaking dried squid.  I haven't quite learned the portion or steps.  I usually buy the "ready to cook" type of reconstituted squid from the stores.

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You are right,now that jogs my memory,got to check with my mom,she used to add soda and then there was a cleaning process involved.

I dont think I have seen reconstituted dried squid here in Toronto,but I maybe wrong,will keep a lookout for it.

Edited August 21, 2006 by warlockdilemma (log)

[jo-mel]

Xiao Leung -- Is that Madras a deep-flavored curry? Aeons ago I used to get one from a small store, and I absolutely loved it's flavor. So much depth, not too hot, but strongly curry. Then the store went out of business, and I was never able to fing that jar again. I never really looked at the brand, but it was a more orange color than the one you show.

[hzrt8w]

I dont think I have seen reconstituted dried squid here in Toronto,but  I maybe wrong,will keep a lookout for it.

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Toronto! Big Chinese population. I think you should be able to find reconstituted squid in the Chinese market.

[hzrt8w]

Xiao Leung -- Is that Madras a deep-flavored curry?  Aeons ago I used to get one from a small store, and I absolutely loved it's flavor. So much depth, not too hot, but strongly curry.

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The Madras type is the one liked by Hong Kongers. It has more tumeric powder (thus the yellow color) than other curry mixes.

[AzianBrewer]

Man, this looks great!!!! The street version has fishball and fried pork skin in it. Do you recommend using the Korean dried squid?.

[KateC]

Looks great and quite yummy!

[hzrt8w]

Man, this looks great!!!!  The street version has fishball and fried pork skin in it.  Do you recommend using the Korean dried squid?.

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Sorry. I don't know what Korean dried squid is like. Are they different from Chinese ones?