Deep-fried squid with spiced coconut spinach and chickpeas

Preparation time
less than 30 mins

Cooking time
10 to 30 mins

Serves
Serves 2

By Matt Tebbutt
From Saturday Kitchen

Ingredients

For the chickpea purée

  • 1 x 400g/14oz tin chickpeas, drained, handful reserved for garnish
  • 3 garlic cloves, minced
  • dash olive oil

For the spiced spinach

  • 1 brown onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tsp ground coriander
  • 1 tsp ground cumin
  • 1 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1 tbsp grated fresh root ginger
  • 1 x 400ml/14fl oz tin coconut milk
  • 20g/¾oz baby spinach
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the deep-fried squid

  • 100g/3½oz plain flour
  • 3 tbsp hot smoked paprika
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp freshly ground black pepper
  • oil, for deep-frying
  • 4 small or medium squid, cleaned and scored
  • 200ml full-fat milk

Method

  1. To make the chickpea stew, blend the chickpeas to a purée with 1 garlic clove, olive oil and a little water to loosen in a blender or food processor. Keep warm until ready to serve.

  2. Heat a little more oil in a pan and fry the onion and remaining two garlic cloves until softened. Add the spices and ginger. Cook for a few minutes, then add the coconut milk. Simmer the sauce until it has thickened, then season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Add the spinach and cook until wilted. Keep warm.

  3. To make the deep-fried squid, mix the flour, paprika, salt and pepper in a bowl. Heat the oil in a pan or deep-fat fryer until a cube of bread sizzles and goes brown when dropped in. (CAUTION: hot oil can be dangerous. Do not leave unattended.)

  4. Place the squid in the milk, then coat in the seasoned flour and deep fry for a few minutes until golden-brown. Carefully remove and place on a plate lined with kitchen paper.

  5. Deep fry the reserved chickpeas until crisp and golden-brown. Carefully remove from the oil and drain on a plate lined with kitchen paper.

  6. To serve, spoon a ladle of purée onto each of two plates, drain and add the spiced spinach, and top with the crisp squid and chickpeas.

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