Sweet chilli squid with bok choi Recipe | 4Food

Date Published:: 04/09/2007

Gordon Ramsay and his brigade of amateur chefs served this recipe as a starter to diners in the F Word restaurant.

Serves 4

Ingredients

Squid

400g squid (or baby squid), cleaned
groundnut oil, for deep-frying
1 tsp fine sea salt
1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
¼ tsp five spice powder
5 heaped tbsp cornflour

Sweet chilli sauce

60g caster sugar
3 garlic cloves, peeled
3cm piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped
2-3 long red chillies (according to taste), deseeded and roughly chopped
small handful of coriander leaves
juice of 1 large lime
1 tbsp fish sauce
1 tbsp light soy sauce

Bok choi

2 tbsp vegetable or groundnut oil
2 garlic cloves, peeled and thinly sliced
200g baby bok choi, washed and large ones halved lengthways
2 tbsp oyster sauce
freshly ground black pepper
sesame oil
1 tsp chilli flakes

Method: How to make salt and pepper squid with sweet chilli

1. Slice the squid into thick rings (or open out the squid tube and lightly score with a criss-cross pattern). Pat dry with kitchen paper and chill until ready to cook. Combine the salt, pepper, five spice powder and cornflour in a bowl and set aside.

2. For the sweet chilli sauce, place the sugar in a small heavy-based saucepan with 3-4 tablespoons of water. Stir to dissolve the sugar, then bring to the boil for 5-8 minutes until reduced and thickened. In the meantime, place the garlic, ginger, red chillies, coriander leaves and lime juice in a food processor and whiz to a coarse paste. When the sugar syrup has reached a light golden caramel colour, carefully add the spice paste, standing back as the caramel will spit. Stir in the fish and soy sauces. Return to the boil and simmer for 1-2 minutes. Take the pan off the heat and leave to cool completely before spooning into small, individual dipping bowls.

3. Heat a wok with 5cm of oil until a piece of bread dropped into the oil sizzles vigorously. Working in batches, coat the squid with the cornflour mixture, shake off the excess and add to the oil. Deep fry until lightly golden and crisp, making sure not to overcrowd the wok. Drain on kitchen paper and repeat with the rest of the squid. Keep the crispy squid warm in a low oven while you cook the bok choi.

4. Pour off the oil from the wok and carefully give it a wipe with kitchen paper. Return to the heat with a light drizzle of vegetable oil. Add the garlic and fry until it turns golden at the sides. Tip in the bok choi stems and stir fry for a minute. Season with the oyster sauce and black pepper, a dash of sesame oil and the chilli flakes. Stir frequently and as soon as the leaves have wilted, transfer to warm plates. Serve with the squid and sweet chilli sauce.