This meal started out as an attempt to replicate the presentation of a moroccan style baked egg in lamb mince, but using traditional European flavour profiles to compliment the lamb mince (rosemary, thyme and garlic) rather than the traditional Ras el hanout spices more common in North Africa (cinnamon, cumin, coriander seed).
When cooked slowly for an hour the squid totally changes texture and the rubbery collagens in the meat melts and turn into gelatin – and the mouth feel is almost like silken Tofu. But the most amazing transformation is the flavour – quick squid deep fried is almost tasteless by comparison, but when you slow cook the squid it imparts a delicious fresh seafood taste to the stew.