Salt and Pepper Squid
- Approximately 2 cups peanut oil (to come about 1/2-inch up in a frying pan)
- 2 tablespoons Maldon or other sea salt
- 2 tablespoons black peppercorns
- 1/3 cup cornstarch
- 18 ounces baby squid, cut into rings, tentacles left unchopped
- Lemon, for squeezing
- Put the oil in a frying pan over high heat.
- Bash the salt and peppercorns in a mortar and pestle until a bit more than bruised but not quite pulverized, and combine this mixture in a freezer bag with cornstarch, adding the squid and tossing to coat well but not heavily.
- When the oil's very hot - not quite smoking, but nearly - fry the squid (knocking any excess cornstarch back in the bag first) in batches (about 4, probably) and cook each batch for about 1 minute or so until just crisp on the outside and still sweet and tender within.
- You probably won't need to turn the squid since the oil should bubble up and cook both sides at once, but do if you feel better.
- Remove to plates lined with a paper towel.
- After the squid's sat for about half a minute, remove the greasy towel - though sometimes, I dispense with this stage - squeeze lemon over and eat with your fingers, quickly.
peanut oil, salt, black peppercorns, cornstarch, baby squid, lemon
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-lawson/salt-and-pepper-squid-recipe.html (may not work)