Shrimp and Calamari with Satay

In search of a culinary escape, it is sometimes good to let your palate travel to exotic lands. Today, we’re taking you to Cambodia with a recipe that celebrates the treasures of the sea and the spicy, rich flavors of Southeast Asia: shrimp and squid with satay.
Cambodia, a country with a rich and varied gastronomic heritage, is often overshadowed by its more publicized neighbors. However, its cuisine offers an explosion of flavors and aromas that deserve our full attention. Prawns and squid with satay are a perfect example. This simple, yet exquisite recipe highlights the fresh ingredients and quick, flavorful cooking techniques that characterize Cambodian cuisine.
The marriage of seafood and satay, a spicy paste made from peanuts and spices, creates a symphony of taste that awakens the senses. Shrimp and squid, with their delicate texture and subtle taste, pair perfectly with the richness and complexity of satay. Add in the crunch of onions, the tangy heat of ginger, and the deep umami of shiitake mushrooms, and you have a dish that’s both refined and comforting.
Preparing this dish begins with cleaning the seafood and rehydrating the shiitake mushrooms, an essential step to release their woody aroma. The garlic and onion are then gently browned in the oil, creating an aromatic base which is enriched by the addition of fresh ginger. Sweet soy sauce, a mainstay of many Asian cuisines, provides a sweetness balanced by the spicy note of satay. Finally, the shrimp and squid are sautéed quickly, retaining their tenderness and absorbing the rich flavors of the sauce.
This dish, served with rice to absorb the delicious sauce, is crowned with a touch of fresh chives, adding a herbaceous note and a beautiful green color to the final picture. It is an invitation to discover another facet of Cambodian cuisine, a facet which combines simplicity and refinement, tradition and innovation.
While tasting this dish, one can’t help but dream of Phnom Penh’s bustling markets, colorful fish and vegetable stalls, and the welcoming warmth of Cambodian cuisines. Prawns and squid with satay are not just a meal, they are a door to a world of flavors and discoveries.
So, let yourself be tempted by this culinary adventure and bring a touch of exoticism and Cambodian authenticity to your table. You will see, your taste buds will thank you for this delicious journey.