Rehydrating with plain water
Many dried products can be rehydrated simply by soaking them in plain water, and some even become more tender and crisp than before. Therefore, many people choose to soak dried squid directly in plain water. While this method does make the squid expand, you may find that the rehydrated squid lacks the tenderness of commercially available rehydrated squid.
Soaking in Chencun alkali water
Start by taking a large bowl and pouring in an appropriate amount of warm water, ideally around 40 degrees Celsius. Place the dried squid in the bowl and let it soak for approximately half a day.
After soaking, remove the dried squid from the bowl and discard the water. Then, refill the bowl with fresh water, ensuring that the water covers the dried squid. Add Chencun alkali water to the bowl at a ratio of 20:1 (water to Chencun alkali water). After 3 hours, touch the squid with your hand. It should have expanded and softened by this point.
Take out the rehydrated squid and rinse it under running water to remove any residual alkali for about 10 minutes. Finally, soak the rehydrated squid in fresh water before processing and cooking.
Chencun alkali water, also known as potassium carbonate, is an alkaline solution that helps meat expand and become tender. However, meat products soaked in Chencun alkali water can have a slippery texture, so multiple rinses are needed to remove this slimy feeling.
Soaking in alkaline water
Start by soaking the dried squid in cold water for about 2 hours. Then, remove the squid and soak it in a 1:100 alkaline water solution for 8 to 12 hours until fully rehydrated.
Take out the fully rehydrated squid and rinse it with clean water. While rinsing, knead the squid with your hands until it is no longer slippery and has no strange odor.
Soaking in high-concentration alkaline water
Prepare a 5% solution of pure alkaline by mixing alkaline and water at a ratio of 1:2. After soaking the dried squid in cold water for 2 hours, transfer it to the pure alkaline solution and soak for another 3 hours. Then, remove the squid and rinse it repeatedly in cold water to remove the alkaline taste.
Soaking in oil
Soak the dried squid in warm water along with a small amount of sesame oil and a small amount of alkali. Continue soaking until the squid becomes soft and expanded. This method results in squid with a lower alkaline content, making it easier to wash off the alkali and providing a better texture for consumption.
Recipe for dried squid
Stir-fried squid with spices
Ingredients: 500g of squid (wet weight), one green chili pepper, one red chili pepper, an appropriate amount of spring onion, ginger, garlic, and one garlic sprout.
Instructions:
1. Cut the squid into pieces, slice the chili peppers, and chop the spring onion, ginger, garlic, and garlic sprout.
2. Heat a sufficient amount of vegetable oil in a pan. Stir-fry the spring onion, ginger, garlic, garlic sprout, and chili peppers until fragrant. Add the squid, salt, and Sichuan peppercorns. Stir-fry until the squid is cooked and fragrant. Add soy sauce and remove from heat.
