Squid & Baby Potatoes with Fried Chorizo Dressing

 

I had some frozen squid hiding out in the back of my freezer and this recipe from an old Cuisine magazine did the trick. We don't eat meat, so you can use vegan chorizo (in NZ we have Plan*t or Let Them Eat Vegan brands), but you can also substitute with some roasted peppers in a jar (so already roasted). 

Ingredients
serves 4
takes 30 minutes

• 5-6 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• 1/2 cup pitted black olives or Kalamata Olives - just let your dinner guests know if they contain pits!
• 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp capers
• punnet of cherry tomatoes or chop larger ones into quarters
• 2 tbsp fresh coriander or fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 spicy vegan chorizo, diced 1cm or add in 1-2 roasted peppers already roasted available in a jar like Sweet Piquante Peppers or normal peppers work too - just core and slice into quarters.
• 8-10 baby potatoes, scrubbed
• squid, I had a mix of pineapple cut & rings & used about 1/2 a bag

Method

1. Heat oven to 180oC and place tomatoes in a small baking dish with a drizzle of olive oil and sprinkle of salt and freshly ground pepper. If you're using Capsicums (Peppers) that need roasting, add them now as well. Roast for around 15 minutes or until tomatoes are slightly golden. Cool then place on a serving platter.
2. Put potatoes in a saucepan of salted water & bring to boil until tender, about 10 minutes. Drain well and crush slightly with a fork and add to platter with tomatoes.
3. Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in a medium-hot fry pan and fry chorizo for 4-5 minutes until crisp. If using Roasted Peppers (from a jar, so already roasted), just fry until they are slightly charred or golden brown. Set aside & add to dressing.
4. To make the dressing: Put some extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, spring onions, olives, garlic, capers & herbs in a bowl and mix well. 
5. To cook squid: Heat a heavy frying pan until very hot, season squid pieces then fry until they are slightly brown, only takes 1 minute as you do not want to over cook. Add to platter then spoon over dressing. Enjoy!