Chef Caro

Tender and spicy calamari on crisp, juicy vegetables with a sassy squeeze of lemon.

This is one of my favourite spicy meals and never fails to wow if I have some friends over. It’s light, healthy and great for the budget too (a punnet of fresh calamari goes for about R35 at Woolies).

You can also use beans, cabbage, mange tout, baby marrows, carrots… pretty much any veggies you have in your fridge. Keep things colourful and crunchy and you’re winning.

Picture this: Sun shining, huge glass of Chenin Blanc, some friends with smiley faces and this in front of you. *dreamy*

Recipe
Serves 6 as a starter/light meal

200g calamari tubes
1 red pepper, sliced
1 small red onion, sliced
1 packet sugar snap peas
Small handful baby mielies
2 cloves garlic, grated
2 T Cajun spice
1/2 small hot chilli
A large lemon wedge
Small bunch coriander
1 pack of pok choi
Sesame oil

Place the calamari in a bowl with the Cajun spice and a little oil and mix well.

Heat a little oil in a pan/wok and add the onions, red pepper, sugar snaps, mielies, chilli and garlic and toss for a minute or 2. Set aside.

Add the calamari to the same pan and toss for about 2-3 minutes.

Add the veggies, coriander and pok choi and warm through (1 minute). Take off the heat and squeeze over the lemon.
Serve immediately as a warm salad.

*You could also serve this on noodles or rice to make it a more substantial meal.