Fish, European
Grilled squid with blitva
Grilled squid with blitva is a Croatian dish for 4 people, ready in 45 minutes, rated easy, at around €4.50 per person. The key is cooking the squid just two minutes per side in a very hot pan, so it stays tender instead of turning rubbery.
We're off to Dalmatia with squid grilled with garlic and parsley, and a blitva, the chard and potato dish everyone eats over there.
- Total time
- 45 min
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Cost per person
- €4.50
- Calories per person
- 620 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
- Season
- Summer, Fall, Spring
Along the Dalmatian coast, this dish shows up on every seaside terrace in summer. The squid gets a quick marinade of garlic and parsley before hitting a scorching hot pan for a few minutes, enough to turn golden on the outside while staying tender inside. Alongside it, blitva brings softness and comfort, a simple mash of chard and potatoes finished with olive oil.
It's a good pick for a weeknight when you want something light that still feels special, or for a casual summer dinner with friends. You make the blitva while the squid marinates, and everything comes together in the last few minutes with a fast sear. Mon Chou walks you through both so neither one gets overcooked.
The ingredients
Fish counter
- Cleaned squid 800 g
Fruits and vegetables
- Swiss chard 1 kg
- Potatoes 600 g
- Garlic 5 cloves
- Parsley 6 sprigs
- Lemon 1
Pantry
- Olive oiloften in the pantry 6 tbsp
- Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch
- Pepperoften in the pantry 1 pinch
Allergens Mollusks
The step by step recipe
-
Peel the potatoes, cut them into large cubes, and cook them in salted water. 12 min
Start them in cold water for more even cooking.
-
Wash the chard, separate the leaves from the stems, cut the stems into pieces, and add them to the potatoes. 5 min
The stems need more cooking time than the leaves, which is why this happens in two steps.
-
Add the chard leaves to the pot for a few minutes, then drain and lightly mash with olive oil, one minced garlic clove, salt, and pepper. 5 min
Save a little of the cooking water to loosen the blitva if it's too dry.
-
Toss the squid with oil, minced garlic, parsley, salt, and pepper, then grill it on a very hot pan or griddle. 5 min
The pan needs to be scorching hot before the squid goes in, so it sears instead of releasing water.
-
Drizzle the squid with lemon juice and serve it over the blitva with a splash of olive oil.
Set a bottle of olive oil on the table, in Croatia people always add a bit more.
Our tips to get it right
- Pat the squid completely dry with paper towels before grilling, any moisture will stop it from browning properly.
- Pick medium sized squid, not too small or too thick, so it cooks quickly and evenly.
- Mash the blitva roughly, it should keep some texture rather than turning into a smooth puree.
The variations
- Swap the squid for peeled shrimp, they cook just as fast, about two minutes per side.
- For a vegetarian version, serve the blitva on its own topped with a poached egg and a drizzle of lemony olive oil.
- For kids, cut the squid into smaller rings and serve the blitva on the side, some kids prefer the two kept separate.
What to serve it with
- Crusty bread for the olive oil
- A glass of dry white wine
- A simple tomato salad
Storage
The blitva keeps for 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container and reheats gently in a pan. Grilled squid is best eaten the same day, it toughens as it cools and doesn't freeze well.
Questions about this dish
Can you use frozen squid?
Yes, thaw it completely in the fridge before cooking and pat it very dry. Excess water is what keeps squid from browning well in the pan.
Can you make the blitva ahead of time?
Yes, make the blitva a few hours ahead and reheat it gently with a splash of water or olive oil. The squid, though, should be cooked right before serving.
How do you keep the squid from getting rubbery?
Cook it for just two minutes per side in a very hot pan, no longer. If you miss that window, it's better to simmer it slowly instead of stopping halfway through.
Can you swap the chard for another vegetable?
Spinach works well instead, with a shorter cooking time. Kale or green cabbage also make a good blitva, with a bit more bite.
How long does it take to make grilled squid with blitva, a Croatian dish of chard and potatoes?
Count 45 min in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “easy”.
How many calories are in grilled squid with blitva, a Croatian dish of chard and potatoes?
About 620 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.
How much does grilled squid with blitva, a Croatian dish of chard and potatoes cost?
About €4.50 per serving, or €18.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.
What allergens does this recipe contain?
This recipe contains mollusks. Always check the labels of the products you buy.
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