Spicy Thai Squid (Calamari) Salad

When it comes to being sick, I'm the worst person that I know, and even; the worst "patient" that I know! My family can't stand to be around me, I'm so grouchy, irritable, and miserable! Yes, it's all true!...sad to say, but it is!
Last Sunday, the day of my previous post with my simple but yummy almond cookies, I had the craving for something spicy, light, and healthy. I could have easily ordered a take-out fresh squid salad and perhaps some Pad Thai pasta from our local Thai restaurant that has been around for years, but oh no! I had a better idea...I will make my own Squid Salad!

When you are sick with a horrible flu that came back again...to smack you over the head with even a harder blow, and give you a humongous headache, and have every bone in your body aching, even the hair strands on the top of your head aching, the last thing you want to do is to defrost a 2 pound bag of frozen baby squid, clean them and cut them...cook them, and make yourself the most delicious squid salad you ever had in your life...well, THAT'S ALL WORTH IT!

Our local seafood markets are usually closed on Sunday, but knowing that our beloved favorite Publix supermarket carries everything, and has the best seafood department as well, I decided to shop for my squid salad ingredients...everything fresh! Unfortunately they only sell squid frozen in a 2 pound package, which was fine with me. Paying $14.99 for 2 lbs of Calamari, even if frozen, is still better than ordering a squid (calamari) salad which is barely enough for 2 and paying $13.99 for it and get aggravated because they put the dressing on it in advance and the salad gets wilted by swimming in the dressing...I do love the

Thai spicy dressing...although, not overpowering my salad! I already had some fresh veggies from Whole Foods, and the organic fresh ginger, so I was all set for my project...sick-and-all, just eagerly wanting to eat fresh spicy squid salad! All I needed, was a little creativity, which I still had the "spark"...and a beautiful salad was created...I felt a whole lot better after that, and since then!

Linking to: Full Plate Thursday @ Miz Helen's Country Cottage
                Thursday Favorite Thing Blog Hop @ Katherines Corner

Spicy Thai Squid (Calamari) Salad
my own creation

1 lb. cleaned squid
1 bunch of loosely packed fresh mint
1 bunch of loosely packed fresh cilantro
1 bunch scallion, cleaned, and sliced diagonal into
about 2 inch pieces
2 medium carrots cleaned, and shredded
about 5 thin slices of peeled, fresh sliced  ginger
1 lime cut into quarters
1 bag of ready cut, pre-washed mixed salad

For the Dressing:

1/4 cup Asian Fish Sauce
1/4 cup Thai Style Chili Sauce
juice of 1 lime
2 teaspoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon crushed red pepper

If you can't find 1 lb. squid, you will have to get the 2 lb. frozen package, and cut open, empty, and will have to defrost the entire thing in cold running water (don't worry, you will be using up the entire thing)

A bit of a job, but so well worth it. After squid has defrosted, clean the entire inside body, by pulling out the little plastic part that is inside, and dispose of it. Also, save the tentacles, try not to rip them...leaving it intact.
Slice the squid across, into little rings,drop them all in a medium pot of boiling water, bring to boil...do not boil for more than about 1 or 2 minutes, or it will get rubbery!

Strain in a colander with cold water, and clean the little white particles from them. Set aside, and continue with the salad.

Very important: you have to set up your "mi sen plaz"...all your ingredients in a row, just like this. Your grated carrots, your chopped cilantro, the sliced scallions, I added with some fresh chopped mint, your dressing, combining them with the fresh ginger slices, and of course your cut limes.

This is the Thai Style Chili Sauce I used, along with the Thai Seasoned Fish Sauce.

At this point, you can just enjoy your salad without the lettuce, just with the mentioned ingredients.

You can individually set up your own salad by using the ingredients, including the dressing, and stretch it even further with the healthy delicious salad.

By adding the lettuce a little more dressing to toss, you have a full meal...so satisfying, healthy and delicious.
Points value: 4









BTW- I spent about $36.00 which seemed expensive, but not, when this generously served 4. The leftovers were separately saved for appetizer to share with family, the next day! I still have plenty of vegetables leftover, and the sauces as well!
Incidentally, I have lost an additional pound...so now, I'm down 15 lbs. total since I started back in the first week of January of this year!