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Baked Rellenong Pusit

Next to shrimps and crabs, squid (or pusit in Filipino) is my favorite seafood...and though I love adobong pusit and calamares, this is how I enjoy it the most..
This is called Rellenong Pusit (Stuffed Squid) in the Philippines. Relleno is a Spanish word which means filling, but Filipinos use it to refer to anything stuffed and is one of the many culinary influences that we got from Spain. Filipinos stuff almost anything --- from vegetables like eggplant and ampalaya to chicken and seafood like fish, squid, crabs and even mussels.

The traditional Rellenong Pusit is stuffed with sauteed ground pork and vegetables like carrots, celery and tomatoes, and then pan fried. But this one that I'm sharing with you today is a little different. Not only is it baked, the filling is also different. It's made of spinach and tofu(though it also has a little ground pork, just to be sure that my daughters will eat it)!

This is really a very appetizing and healthy way to enjoy squid. It may look a little complicated but it actually isn't. Just clean the squid, do a little sauteing and stuffing, and VOILA - a delicious Rellenong Pusit! Check it out...

 
Ingredients:
  • 3 medium sized squid (about 2 lbs in total weight)
  • 1/2 lb ground pork
  • 14 oz. tofu, fried and cubed
  • 1 bundle spinach, washed and trimmed
  • 1 medium sized onion, minced
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
  • 1 Tbsp garlic powder
  • 1/4 cup soy sauce
  • 1 Tbsp lemon or lime juice
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil
  • 1 Tbsp fish sauce 
  • 1 Tbsp chopped cilantro for garnishing
  • 1 lime or lemon, cut into wedges
  • salt and pepper

Procedure:
1. Clean the squid. Remove the innards, the beak (which is a bony piece of inedible cartilage that it is located at the base of the tentacles), the thin transparent cartilage from the body of the squid, the ink sac and the skin. Wash and drain.
2. Sprinkle squid with 1/2 Tbsp garlic powder, 1 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper. Let sit in a shallow container. for about 15 minutes. Mix soy sauce and lime juice and pour onto the squid. Let sit for 15 minutes more.
3. Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium heat, saute garlic in 3 Tbsp olive oil until light brown. Add onion and saute until translucent. Add pork and cook for about 10 minutes. Add spinach, remaining garlic powder and fish sauce. Saute for 3 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to suit your taste. Add the fried tofu and mix well. Remove from heat and allow to cool down.
4. Preheat oven to 375F. Grease a baking dish with remaining olive oil. Stuff squid with cooked filling. Secure the opening of each squid using a toothpick. Arrange in prepared baking dish. Cover with aluminum foil
5. Bake covered for 30 minutes. Remove cover and bake for 5 minutes more. Serve warm. Garnish with chopped cilantro and lime or lemon wedges.

17 comments :

  1. The only time that I had stuffed squid was in Greece...your look great, love how you prepared the stuffing...so tasty with pork, tofu and all the herbs.
    Hope you are having a wonderful week Tina :)

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  2. It's been long time,,,since I had the whole squid dish prepared like this one,sound really Yummy Tina, remind me @ home in indonesia :)

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  3. Tina, this one is delicious, calamari get a wonderful makeover with your stuffing.

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  4. I don't eat all seafood but it looks attractive.

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  5. That rellenong pusit looks very tempting ! I haven't eaten much less cook squid for quiet sometime pfffttt I really love the stuffing , esp with the spinach addition ! Yum !

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  6. I love stuff squid but have never tried making these at home. Great tutorial & I'm sure seafood fans will have no problem following your steps :)

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  7. LOVE seafood and this looks incredibly delicious, Tina. :)

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  8. Whatever you say, I still think that no everyone can make this yummy looking stuffed squids. You are simply great in making them and they sure look fabulous. I thinks its about patience and time to make these tempting squids.

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  9. Very impressive! I have never had squid!!

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  10. Wow, that stuffed squid is amazing! I hate cleaning squid, but love the flavor. That filling is perfection.

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  11. Stuffed squid sounds awesome! A beautiful seafood dish my friend!

    Cheers
    CCU

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  12. you continue to amaze me! Wow, i love this dish. I mean I am not so good at cleaning squid but I would do it if the outcome looks like this! Love it

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  13. This looks really good! I always thought making this would be intimidating but thanks for the photo guide! :D

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  14. I need to get over my fear of touching squid lol. I'm not sure why but they just freak me out unless they've been already sliced and fried. Love the new twist on a classic dish - spinach is a definite fav or mine.

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  15. I will try this soon.Thank you for your cooking step by step procedure!

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  16. Hi Tina, I already tried this and it was amazing. Your instructions was easy to follow. I would like to ask what kind of dip would you recommend perfect for the squid.

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    Replies
    1. I usually don't use any dip with it. But garlic vinegar dip will do.

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