| Prep: 20 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Difficulty: Moderate | Serves: 6 |
| kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
| 350 | 20g | 4g | 15g |
| sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
| 2g | 2g | 30g | 0.8g |
Why I Love Portuguese Grilled Chocos
When it comes to fusing cultures through food, nothing embodies this concept more for me than the dish I’m about to share with you: the Portuguese-style Grilled Chocos. The way this dish brings together the flavors that I grew up with on the West Coast with the spices I’ve come to know through my Gujarati roots never ceases to inspire me.
About the Grilled Chocos
Primarily known in Portugal, Grilled Chocos is a dish that beautifully conveys simplicity and depth of flavor. Comprising squid or cuttlefish, it’s a delight for seafood lovers. The conceptual simplicity of this recipe, grilling seafood with merely a handful of ingredients, is a testament to how, sometimes, less is indeed more when it comes to creating culinary masterpieces.
What Makes this Recipe Special?
What I love about the Grilled Chocos is its tremendous versatility. It melds well with many other dishes, reminding me of the way coastal Californian cuisine often pairs boldly with traditional Indian spices in my own kitchen. I believe this recipe would beautifully complement a tangy, citrusy Mango Salad or a robust, earthy Mung Bean Dal.
One might even say this recipe feels inspired by Michelin Star Chef José Avillez, who is known for his incredible interpretations of Portuguese cuisine. Though there might not be a direct influence, his philosophy of respecting traditions while adding a personal touch resonates with my approach to cooking and recipe creation.
Preparing Grilled Chocos allows me the opportunity to infuse my culinary creativity into my home’s atmosphere, filling it with a blend of aromas that dance from the West Coast all the way to Gujarat. More than just ingredients and methodologies, recipe creation is about nurturing a sense of togetherness. And from my family to yours, I hope that the deliciously multi-cuisine Grilled Chocos brings not just togetherness, but also a shared joy of food and culture.
What You’ll Need
- 3 lbs chocos (squid or cuttlefish)
- 12 cloves garlic
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 bunch fresh parsley
Method
Step One
Begin by preparing the chocos. Clean them thoroughly and, if they are large, cut them into manageable pieces. Set them aside.
Step Two
Now, it’s time to prepare your marinade. Take your garlic cloves and either finely chop them or press them using a garlic press. Then, put the garlic into a bowl.
Step Three
Add your salt and black pepper to the bowl with garlic. Then, pour in your olive oil and white wine vinegar. Mix all these ingredients together until they’re thoroughly combined.
Step Four
Take your fresh parsley and chop it as finely as possible. Then, add this to your marinade and stir it in until it’s evenly distributed.
Step Five
Now, add your chocos to the marinade. Make sure all pieces are fully submerged. Cover your bowl and let the chocos marinate for at least 2 hours, or even better, overnight.
Step Six
After the chocos have marinated, preheat your grill on a high heat. When it’s hot, remove the chocos from the marinade and grill them. Grill each side for about 3-4 minutes, until they’re golden and charred.
Step Seven
Once done, remove the chocos from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes before serving. Enjoy your perfectly grilled chocos!
