Sqid Abalonetti

A squid belongs to the general family of cephlapod and looks like a mini octopus because of its tentacles. Just like the octopus it discharges a dark fluid into the face of its predator when threatened with potential danger. The average length of an edible squid generally varies from 5cm to 100cm although some colossal squids could be as big as 20m.The squis which forms a part of most Mediterranean cuisines, has a firm white and sweet tasing meat.

However, if you want to cook any squid dish at home, you have to follow some preliminary steps. You have to start by cleaning a squid, for which the mantle has to be separated gently from the head. Next, the interior of the mantle has to be thrown away, removing the edible ink from it. Now pull the membrane from the mantle away, cut off the tentacles just under the eyes and discard the hard beak. 

After you wash the squid thoroughly, it is ready to be tenderised by making 2 cm slits along its body and bashing the flesh with a mallet. In order to prevent the squid flesh from toughening, you must start cooking it while it is still fresh. The only time taking squid dish is prepared by braising 7.5 to 10 cm long pieces of squid that need to be cooked for at least 1 hour. 

Here am going to provide you an easy recipe of squid through a baking process.

SQUID ABALONETTI:

Ingredients  :

• Squid – ½ Kg
• Water –1 cup
• Salt to taste
• White sauce
• Grated Cheese

    * Boil the squid until it is tender and add water accordingly to bring it to complete 
    boiling. When its boiled drain the water and keep aside

    *Greece the baking  pan with butter and keep aside.

Method for Preparing white sauce:

1  1.    In a sauce pan place heat the butter in medium heat.

   2.   Add the flour, stir constantly for about a minute and add milk and whisk thoroughly 
    until the sauce thickens and come to boil.

   3.  Add mustard paste, salt and pepper finally.

Method for baking:

    *  Preheat the oven at 350* Fahrenheit.

    *   Layer the squid in the baking pan and add run white sauce on top.

    *   Add the remaining squid and this time add white sauce as a top layer and spread 
   grated cheese on it.

    * Bake for 15-20 minutes and remove from the oven and serve hot.

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