SAUTEED SQUID WITH CHILES, MINT AND LIME

Sauteed Squid with Chiles, Mint and Lime image

Provided by Melissa Clark

Time 10m

Yield 2 to 3 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1 pound cleaned squid
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt, as needed
1 jalapeño chile, thinly sliced and seeded if desired
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
Lime juice, as needed
1/4 cup chopped mint
Crusty bread, for serving
Sliced avocado, for serving

Steps:

Rinse the squid under cool running water. Drain and transfer to a paper towel to dry completely. Cut the bodies into 1/2-inch rings and leave the tentacles whole. Pat dry again with paper towels.
Place a large skillet over high heat. Let the pan get very hot, for a good 5 minutes. Move the squid from the paper towels to a bowl, so that they don't stick before you add them to the pan. Add half the oil to the skillet. Sprinkle half the squid with salt, slide them into the pan along with half the chiles and cook without moving for 1 minute. Flip squid and stir in half the garlic; cook 1 to 2 minutes more, until squid is tender. Transfer to a plate. Repeat with remaining squid, garlic, chiles and oil. Make sure not to overcrowd the pan; if your skillet doesn't fit the squid comfortably, cook them in smaller batches.
Squeeze lime all over the squid and sprinkle with mint.
Top the crusty bread with sliced avocado if you like, and season avocado with salt and lime juice. Serve with the squid.