Friday, 10 February 2023

Squid in Ink


I was very surprised recently, to find tins of Squid in Ink on the shelves of UK supermarket Waitrose.

I am used to buying these in France under the commercial name of Pay Pay, so I had to buy some just to see how they compared to my usual brand. I am a regular breakfast consumer of the Pay Pay variety.


They tasted much the same, but in the Waitrose version there was far too much 'ink sauce', and not enough Squid. In fact it was almost ALL sauce. Very disappointing.


Anyway, I enjoyed my breakfast. I still have one tin of the Pay Pay left; next year I'll bring more back with me! I'm already making a list of things to bring.

The fact that they are black seems to put many people off, but they are delicious.

 

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22 comments:

  1. Ursula10 February 2023 at 07:20

    As I am not a breakfaster (my stomach's hours are a law onto themselves) I am in awe: Squid for breakfast? In black ink? Dickens' Bleak House springs to mind.

    I did look up your new found Waitrose treasure steeped in ink (well, cuttlefish ink and stuff). How many pieces of squid do you expect at 72g drained weight? And for £1.10? They do another version (in olive oil - same weight) for £2.50.

    To start your day on a point of (debatable) hilarity I quote re your Pay Pay brand: "Warning For California Residents: This product may contain chemicals known to the state of California to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm."

    U

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cro Magnon10 February 2023 at 09:56

      That's why I usually buy the Pay Pay brand. More goodness per gram.

      Delete
  2. Susan Heather10 February 2023 at 07:25

    I Googled it here but, it seems, only the ink is available.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cro Magnon10 February 2023 at 09:58

      I think it mostly comes from Spain or Portugal. It probably doesn't get as far as you. How's the weather?

      Delete
    2. Susan Heather11 February 2023 at 04:27

      Just wind so far.

      Delete
  3. local alien10 February 2023 at 07:48

    My stomach would stand squid at any hour but my nose and eyes would definitely rebel in the early morning. Eggs and bacon please.
    Of course here we get various brands of squid in tins. In oil, in ink, in tomato sauce and in brine. One brand differs mightily from the other. Not the sort of thing a traditional Greek would buy but we come across them now and again. They are used in various, non breakfast recipes .
    Pity they couldn't have been more generous with the squid. You'll have to wait till you return to France and Mediterranean cuisine for a decent squid breakfast.


    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cro Magnon10 February 2023 at 10:01

      As I eat my breakfast alone (5 am) I am able to pamper myself with all sorts of favourite things, that would have Lady M running for the hills. I'm now out of Squid, so will have to wait until I get back to France.

      Delete
  4. Coppa's girl10 February 2023 at 08:04

    My comments can only echo local alien's. Squid is part of the Mediterranean diet here of course, and we can buy it in tins - exactly the same selection that they have in Greece. It's on the fresh fish counter at some supermarkets - either whole, or in selected "cuts", and I've also seen it alive!

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    Replies
    1. Cro Magnon10 February 2023 at 10:02

      I must buy more fresh Squid, I love it simply BBQ'd. Tins are a poor relation.

      Delete
  5. Frances10 February 2023 at 08:40

    I think that I shall stick to my bowl of mixed oats/grapenuts/sultanas/granola and blueberries!! That black stuff looks most unappetising.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cro Magnon10 February 2023 at 10:03

      It's a acquired taste. You may even like it yourself, if you didn't know what it was!

      Delete
  6. Yorkshire Pudding10 February 2023 at 10:31

    If squid is ever subject to rationing, you can gladly have my share.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Carol Caldwell10 February 2023 at 13:27

    I must admit to the phrase - eat with your eyes. The black ink totally puts me off. I don't mind squid but not for breakfast thank you very much.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cro Magnon10 February 2023 at 16:35

      Not everyone's cup of Tea. I have strange tastes at Breakfast.

      Delete
  8. Travel10 February 2023 at 13:50

    I'd try that,

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cro Magnon10 February 2023 at 16:36

      It's good. Slightly sweet, slightly fishy, and slightly chewy.

      Delete
  9. Susan10 February 2023 at 13:55

    I've seen squid displayed in the fresh fish counter at Whole Food's Grocery store. Personally, I would not know what to do with it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cro Magnon10 February 2023 at 16:38

      Whole Squid simply need cleaning, separating tentacles from body, and throwing onto a hot BBQ for a couple of minutes. Lovely. As soon as it turns opaque, it's cooked.

      Delete
  10. The Weaver of Grass10 February 2023 at 14:43

    Give me King Prawns any day - I intend to have an open sandwich for my teat = King Prawns with celery and walnut in mayo salad

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Cro Magnon10 February 2023 at 16:39

      We eat them in France quite often, but here they're so expensive.

      Delete
  11. River11 February 2023 at 05:44

    I'll stick with my rolled oats porridge.

    ReplyDelete

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