Author Notes
My first introduction to squid steaks was about 30 years ago at The New Hellas Cafe in Detroit's Greektown. The owner and my Dad grew up together and during our frequent trips, Gus would "surprise" us with something he was cooking in the kitchen. This particular night he came out with a breaded squid steak served with a little tomato and onion relish...it was so good that I had to make it myself ( I think the relish takes it over the top ). I tinkered a bit since I wasn't given the recipe and came up with this. Gus closed his restaurant in 2008 after 107 years of his family's ownership...oh how I miss it! —inpatskitchen
Continue After Advertisement
Ingredients
- For the relish
-
2
medium tomatoes, seeded, cored and finely diced
-
1 cup
finely diced red onion
-
1/2 cup
chopped parsley
-
1 tablespoon
fresh lemon juice
-
1 teaspoon
salt
-
1/2 teaspoon
black pepper
-
1 teaspoon
dried oregano (preferably Greek)
-
1 tablespoon
extra virgin olive oil
- For the squid
-
2
squid steaks, thawed if frozen ( I've never found fresh steaks in the Detroit area)
-
1 cup
milk
-
1/3 cup
flour, for dusting the squid
-
1
egg beaten with 2 tablespoons water
-
1 cup
seasoned bread crumbs
-
1/2 cup
olive oil
-
lemon wedges ( optional)
Directions
- For the relish
-
Combines all ingredients and set aside.
- For the squid
-
Soak the squid steaks in the milk for 30 to 40 minutes. Remove and pat dry with paper towels.
-
Set up a breading station of a bowl of flour, a bowl of beaten egg and a bowl of seasoned crumbs.
-
Dredge each steak in the flour, then egg and then the bread crumbs.
-
Saute the steaks in a large pan in the olive oil for no more than three minutes per side until golden.
-
Serve immediately with the relish and lemon wedges if desired.
I think I get my love for food and cooking from my mom, who was an amazing cook. She would start baking and freezing a month before Christmas in order to host our huge open house on Christmas afternoon. I watched and I learned...to this day I try not to procrastinate when it comes to entertaining.
My cooking style is pretty much all over the place, although I'm definitely partial to Greek and Italian cuisine. Oh yes, throw a little Cajun in there too!
See what other Food52ers are saying.