Dark side of Beautiful

Text and photo by Herb Pilles

Question:  What can you buy in a Singapore food store for under a dollar?

Answer:  A packet of squid ink!  S$0.80  for two.

Actually, you need five of them to make squid ink risotto and you can get it at Huber’s or The Swiss Butcher.  There is something to be said about black squid ink on a dinner plate, offset by pinks, and white, and green, and different shades of red.  But it’s not just the visual.  There is something about the flavour of squid ink that simply connects you to the sea.  Your guests will love it.  Just look at Maureen’s face.

To make a black squid ink risotto, you need 1 tbsp butter, a large shallot, and two cloves of garlic chopped fine, a glass of good white wine, two cups of a good quality Arborio rice from Italy, five 4 g packets of squid ink, good low sodium chicken stock, grated rind from a lemon.

Melt a table spoon or so of butter in a pot over low heat.  Add the shallots and garlic, fry gently but do not let it go brown. If it goes brown, throw it out and start again.  Add the rice and stir continuously for about 5 minutes.  Add the wine, stir until all the wine is absorbed.  Add the squid ink.  It will make a glorious mess. Just keep stirring. Start adding the stock, a ladle full at a time, stir until it is all absorbed, then add more stock.  Don’t even think about walking away from the stove.  Keep adding stock and stirring until the rice is al dente, about 20 minutes later.  If you need more liquid add hot water or wine.  When it’s done, add the grated lemon zest, and a squeeze of lemon juice.  Plate and top with whatever you have in mind.  I served mine with poached salmon with dill mayo on top.  On the side there’s grilled asparagus, fennel, and Portobello mushrooms smothered in a salsa of red onion, tomato (no pulp), red capsicum, peas, corn, thyme leaves, and a vinegrette of olive oil and verjuice.  If you don’t have verjuice, use lemon juice or white balsamic this time, but make sure you put verjuice on your shopping list.  It is now available at C.S.

Black on a plate is beautiful. If you don't want to make risotto, you can buy squid ink pasta, which is also wonderful — and quicker.