The excitement of cooking with squid ink comes primarily from its colour. Stir the tiniest amount through a gently bubbling risotto, and the ink conquers every last grain of rice, liberating the pan from its pale, caramelised hues and turning the contents black as night. You can use squid ink to bring spooky black tones to lots of things, from pasta and bread to sauces, but squid ink is so much more than just food colouring – it has a unique briny flavour that goes perfectly with other fish and seafood. If you can buy whole squid, keep an eye out for the silvery ink sacs when you’re cleaning it out, or alternatively, you can buy squid ink online, or from your local fishmonger.
We’ve pulled together five fantastic squid ink recipes from some of our favourite chefs and food writers. For more inspiration, check out our full collection of squid ink recipes!