This version of Dried Squid in Coconut Milk Recipe (which is also known as “ginataang pusit”) was discovered by accident. I like to eat squid. However, I prefer fresh over dried or dehydrated squid because it is tender, when cooked properly. As far as dried squid goes, all I knew is that small dried squids can be grilled. The outcome can be a crispy squid that you can easily eat, or it can also turn out to be a bit rubbery; this means that you will need to chew harder.
What I got from the Korean store were large dried squids. My plan was to grill these squids and see if these will turn out crispy, or at least something that I can eat easily afterwards. What I learned from the experiment is straightforward: do not grill dried large squid because it will be very hard for you to eat it. Since I do not want to throw these away that easily, I thought that slow cooking the squid will help.
I grabbed my slow cooker and opened the pantry to check for available ingredients. There was a can of coconut cream sitting in the corner and I also saw some green chillies and fresh ginger root in the fridge. These ingredients led me to decide to make slow cooked ginataang pusit.
Grilling the dried squid before slow cooking helped because it gave the dish a nice smokey flavor. The squid became tender and easy to chew. I can compare it to the texture of pig ears in tokwa’t baboy. I liked the outcome of the dish and I thought that this was even more tastier than the regular ginataang pusit.
If you like to eat squid, I have some recipes just for you. Check out our squid recipes here.
Try this Dried Squid in Coconut Milk Recipe. Let me know what you think.
Dried Squid in Coconut Milk
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb. large dried squid
- 2 cups coconut cream
- 3 pieces long green chilies sliced
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 tablespoon minced ginger
- 1 medium onion minced
- 2 tablespoons fish sauce
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 bunch fresh spinach
Instructions
- Heat-up the grill. Once the grill gets hot, grill one side of the squid for 3 minutes. The squid will curl-up, try to straighten the other side (if possible) and grill for 1 to 2 minutes. Set aside.
- Arrange the coconut cream, ginger, onion, garlic, green chillies, squid, ground black pepper, and fish sauce in a slow cooker. Set the slow cooker to high, cover and slow cook the squid for 8 hours.
- Add the spinach. Cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
- Transfer to a serving bowl. Serve. Share and enjoy!
Diane Hampton says
This looks delicious! Would love to try this! I’m worried about my husband’s reaction to the cooking aroma. Would the smell be overpowering for foreign noses?
Vanjo Merano says
Unfortunately, it will. I suggest you do the cooking outside, if possible.
Mary Rose Papel says
It looks delicious! Wanna try this! Thanks for all your recipes. God bless! ?
Leslie Salvador Tabago Frias says
Wow!!it takes time to cook the squid ^_^ But I think it taste good
Will says
After a two months stay in Manila I learned to appreciate the Phill. food. Therefore I looked Google and found your site which I like very much. Some of your recipes I made already and I’m still healthy and alive. So I want to know and want to eat more of what you prepare. Is there a cooking book possibly? Take me up in your file,please and control me on FB. Greetings for you and Daisy.
Vanjo Merano says
Hi Will, I hope that you are having a wonderful day. Glad to know that you appreciate Filipino food. I am almost done writing a my first ever recipe book and this will be available soon. I will have notify everyone through here and the mailing list.
Cletus Jose Butalid says
those big dried pusit can be awesome delicious used in this recipe than the small ones. Just grill them on the stove until the surface turns white and blistery then pound to flatten them with a hammer while still warm. The meat will become flakey you wont be needing 8 hours to slow cook the recipe.
Vanjo Merano says
I appreciate the input Cletus. Will need to try this method next time as I am new to this ingredient. Thanks!
Helen says
Did i read it right? Cook for 8 hours? ?
Vanjo Merano says
Sure did, Helen. We use dried squid for this recipe and slow cooking using a crock pot or any slow cooker device is necessary.
cha says
slow cook for 8 hours?
Vanjo Merano says
Yes, you read it correctly Cha 🙂 Sometimes it is even better to extend the cooking time to 10 hours.
Bles Riva says
Thank you po for this recipe. Some good things are discovered by accident. Continue to discover more ways of cooking for all of us.
Vanjo Merano says
You’re welcome, Bles. Sure, I will 🙂