chargrilled squid with fiery salsa verde

for hot lazy days when i can barely be bothered to cook and want something light, i often used to turn to prawns. but having seen a documentary about the negative environmental impact their farming can have, as well as another less than appealing aspect about how they are encouraged to breed, i’ve stopped buying them. however, i have remembered that squid is a good alternative in many quick and easy dishes.

this thomasina miers recipe was part of a “top ten 10 minute dishes" and it has wonderful flavours that belie its simplicity. use good tomatoes and enjoy the salsa that is flavoured with garlic, herbs, anchovies and capers and which brings all the components together to create a lovey light summer supper.

thomasina miers's chargrilled squid with fiery salsa verde (serves 4)

200ml extra virgin olive oil

250g cherry tomatoes

a small handful of fresh parsley, roughly chopped

a large handful of fresh basil

4 anchovies

1 tablespoons capers

2 small garlic cloves

1 chilli, chopped

1½ tablespoons red wine vinegar

500g squid, cleaned and cut into pieces

two large handfuls of rocket

1 lemon, cut into wedges

salt and black pepper

season the squid with salt and pepper and toss in 1 tbsp of the olive oil. in a separate bowl, do the same with the cherry tomatoes. heat a large grill pan over a high flame for at least 3 minutes until smoking hot. meanwhile, whizz the herbs, anchovies, capers, garlic, chilli and 1 tbsp vinegar into a paste. slowly pour in the oil until you have a thick sauce. taste and adjust the seasoning. add the squid to the pan and cook for about 30-40 seconds on each side, until the flesh just turns opaque. transfer to a serving plate.

add the tomatoes to the pan, cooking them for 2-3 minutes until they are browning on the outside and bursting a little. pour in the remaining ½ tbsp red wine vinegar and sizzle. serve the squid tossed with the cherry tomatoes and the rocket. pour the salsa verde over the top and serve with a few wedges of lemon on the side. fresh bread is an essential to mop it all up.