Serves 4–6

The riot of colors and the intense flavors of the lime, peanuts, and dressing in this salad will have you so impressed, you'll forget you were ever an omnivore.

Grilled Calamari Salad

For the dressing:

1 tablespoon fish sauce

illustration cup water

1 stalk lemongrass, inner core finely chopped

3 kaffir lime leaves, chopped or 1 tablespoon lime zest

1 small onion, thinly sliced

5 teaspoons lime juice

1–5 red chili peppers, seeded and chopped (the more you use, the spicier it'll be!)

For the salad:

1 pound calamari, cleaned

15–20 mint leaves, chopped

6–8 sprigs cilantro, chopped

1 green onion, thinly sliced

Baby greens (optional)

  1. Combine all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl; set aside.
  2. Prepare a grill or broiler. Place the calamari on a broiler pan or in a grill basket and cook over high heat until tender, about 3 minutes per side. Let cool to room temperature.
  3. Place the grilled calamari in a mixing bowl. Stir the dressing and pour it over the calamari.
  4. If serving immediately, add the mint, cilantro, and green onions. Alternatively, allow the calamari to marinate for up to 1 hour before serving, and then add the additional ingredients.
  5. To serve: Use individual cups or bowls to help capture some of the wonderful dressing. Alternatively, mound the calamari mixture over a bed of baby greens and spoon additional dressing over the top.

illustration What Is Calamari?

Calamari is squid! Sometimes you will see the smallest ones sold whole. Otherwise it comes in pearly white pieces that you slice into bite-sized morsels. Calamari has a sweet, mild flavor and only becomes chewy when overcooked.