Thai calamari salad with lemon grass

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
¾poundsCleaned small squid, thin-sliced in rings, tentacles divided
cupThin slivers of red onion, about
½teaspoonCrushed hot pepper flakes
3teaspoonsFish sauce (nuoc mam or nam pla), or to taste
3tablespoonsLemon juice
2Inch piece tender inner part of lemon grass stalk base, finely slivered
To make 1 Tbs.
2teaspoonsBrown sugar

Directions

Fine-slivered fresh hot chili pepper or Tabasco to taste Bibb or iceberg lettuce, slivered Cilantro leaves, minced.

1. Combine squid in skillet with lightly salted boiling water to barely cover. Simmer one minute, or until opaque throughout. Drain.

Combine in dish with onion to taste. 2. In tiny pan stir pepper flakes over low heat until aromatic and toasty; be careful not to burn -- about 30 seconds. Transfer to small dish; add 2 tsps fish sauce, lemon juice, lemon grass, 1½ tsps brown sugar, and hot pepper or pepper sauce to taste. Toss with squid and onions. Let stand 5 minutes. Adjust seasoning, which should be quite fierce. 3.

Cover and chill. Serve on lettuce, sprinkled with cilantro.