🍽️ How to Make Jiang Cong You Yu (Ginger Scallion Squid)

🧆 Ingredients

• 400g squid, cleaned and cut into rings
• 2 thumbs ginger (sliced)
• 2 green onions (cut into sections)
• 1 tablespoon cooking wine
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt to taste

🍳 Steps

1. Clean and Prepare the Squid: Rinse the squid thoroughly under cold running water. Remove the head, innards, and transparent cartilage from the body. Peel off the thin purple membrane for a cleaner appearance and more tender texture. Cut the cleaned squid into rings or bite-sized pieces. Pat dry with paper towels to prevent splattering during cooking. Toss the squid with cooking wine and a pinch of salt, and let it marinate for 5–10 minutes to remove any fishy odor.

2. Prepare Aromatics: Slice the ginger thinly and cut the green onions into 4–5 cm sections, separating the white and green parts. This helps layer the flavors during cooking.

3. Stir-Fry Aromatics: Heat the vegetable oil in a wok or large skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Add the sliced ginger and stir-fry for 30 seconds until fragrant but not browned. Add the white parts of the green onion and continue to stir-fry for another 20 seconds.

4. Cook the Squid: Increase the heat to high. Add the squid rings to the wok and stir-fry quickly. The squid will start to curl and turn opaque within 1–2 minutes. Do not overcook—remove from heat as soon as the squid is just cooked through and still tender. Overcooked squid becomes rubbery.

5. Season: Add soy sauce and sugar, tossing everything to coat the squid evenly. Taste and adjust salt if needed. Add the green parts of the green onion and toss briefly to combine.

6. Finish and Serve: Transfer the squid to a serving plate. Garnish with additional fresh green onion if desired. Serve immediately while hot for the best texture and flavor.

Key Points:

• Always dry the squid thoroughly before cooking to avoid excess moisture in the wok.
• Marinating with cooking wine helps remove any fishy smell.
• Stir-fry over high heat and keep the cooking time short to ensure the squid remains tender.
• Fresh ginger and green onion are essential for the signature aroma and flavor of this dish.
• Serve as soon as possible after cooking for optimal taste and texture.

💡 Tips

• Do not overcook squid to keep it tender.
• Use fresh ginger for best aroma.
• Stir-fry quickly over high heat.
• Serve immediately for optimal flavor.