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Calamari Tomato Stew


 The relationship between me and the Mediterranean diet started 6 month ago and it was a love at first sight. I always liked the Greek, Italian and Spanish food. Not needed to mention the French one also. 

I never believed in diets but rather in cooking yourself at home with good ingredients. This is what I saw as a child, this is what shaped my taste over time. Romania is not in the Mediterranean part but we have a lot of similarities with the Greek cuisine. I have also some Greek roots from 3 generations ago in my family so no wonder that I enjoy so much this type of food.

But I want to tell you something about me. When I moved to Belgium I had no knowledge or skills of cooking. I only new to do basic things like fried eggs or fries. I was a catastrophe. I remember calling my mother in Romania from the supermarket from Belgium asking her how a celery looks like. And yes, I grew up since then... and I discovered a pleasure in cooking what you like and picking the ingredients that brings the pleasure of eating to another level.

This is the Mediterranean diet for me... it is a style rather than a diet. The flavours, the aromas ... unbeatable!

This is a stew and I have to admit I have never been a fan of stews. I could have never categorise them ... between a soup or a main solid dish, or a sauce?. But I had to "grow up" to understand its value.

When I made this one.... it was a WOW moment. I chose to have green lentils as a side dish for them and they matched perfectly together.

Super healthy dish and sooooo delicious.


Ingredients:

  • 700g sliced squid
  • 3 cans of peeled tomatoes
  • 1 head of garlic (chopped)
  • 2 medium onions  (chopped)
  • 4 branches of celery ribs (chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon sweet pepper powder
  • 150ml white wine
  • 1 hand of green olives
  • 100ml of olive oil
  • salt
  • pepper
  • lovage (or could be replaced by parsley)

Directions:
  1. Sprinkle salt and pepper over the squid and stir.
  2. Heat the oil and add the onions, garlic and pepper powder. Fry until they start to brown (~5mins).
  3. Add celery and cook for 10 minutes or until they start to soften.
  4. Add wine, cook for 5 minutes.
  5. Add the squid and stir. Cook for 15 minutes.
  6. Add tomatoes, olives and stir. Continue to cook for 45 minutes.
  7. Fill in a plate with this stew and sprinkle cut lovage over.
Serve with a side dish like green lentils.

Recipe inspired from The Complete Mediterranean Cookbook, page 268.

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