Description
Italian-inspired keto garlic squid delivers Mediterranean flavors in a low-carb dish perfect for seafood enthusiasts. Delicate squid rings sizzle with garlic, herbs, and olive oil, creating a simple yet elegant meal for health-conscious diners you can enjoy with confidence.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (454 g) squid rings and tentacles, cleaned
- 2 tbsps (30 ml) butter
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) olive oil
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for heat)
- 1 tsp paprika
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp (15 ml) lemon juice
- 1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously cleanse and pat dry squid, removing all moisture to ensure perfect searing and prevent steaming during cooking.
- Preparation: Slice squid tubes into uniform rings and separate tentacles, creating consistent cooking surfaces for optimal heat absorption and presentation.
- Flavor Foundation: Combine butter and olive oil in a spacious skillet, heating over medium-high flame to develop a rich, aromatic cooking base while infusing the pan with complementary fat profiles.
- Aromatic Awakening: Introduce minced garlic and red pepper flakes into the melted fat, allowing these potent ingredients to bloom and release their intense fragrance for approximately 30 seconds.
- Seafood Searing: Strategically place squid rings and tentacles in a single layer across the sizzling pan, promoting rapid caramelization and developing complex flavor characteristics through high-heat contact.
- Seasoning Technique: Dust seafood with paprika, creating a warm color palette and depth of flavor, then enhance with salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the natural maritime essence.
- Rapid Cooking: Execute a swift saute, continuously agitating the squid to prevent adherence and ensure uniform cooking, observing the transformation to a translucent, golden-kissed appearance.
- Finishing Flourish: Immediately remove skillet from heat once squid reaches peak tenderness, then brighten the dish with fresh lemon juice and garnish with chopped parsley, creating a vibrant and aromatic presentation.
- Serving: Transfer to warm plates and consume promptly, celebrating the delicate texture and robust flavors of perfectly prepared squid.
Notes
- Master Moisture Control: Thoroughly pat squid completely dry to prevent steaming instead of searing, which guarantees perfect golden caramelization and prevents rubbery texture.
- Quick Cooking Technique: Sauté squid rapidly over high heat for maximum 2-3 minutes, ensuring tender, delicate texture without becoming tough or chewy.
- Strategic Seasoning Strategy: Add salt just before finishing cooking to prevent drawing out moisture and maintain squid’s natural tenderness and crisp exterior.
- Temperature Precision: Use medium-high heat to create quick, intense sear that locks in flavor while preventing overcooking, which transforms squid into rubbery consistency.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dinner, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Sautéing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 272
- Sugar: 1 g
- Sodium: 530 mg
- Fat: 22 g
- Saturated Fat: 10 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 200 mg