Garlic Seared Squid with Kale, Chickpeas, and Red Pepper
Tender whole squid quick-seared with aromatic garlic and smoked paprika, tossed with wilted kale, sweet red bell pepper, and fiber-packed chickpeas. A vibrant, high-protein skillet meal ready in under 15 minutes.
Prep
5 min
Cook
7 min
Total
12 min
Makes
1 serving
Created together. Shared with you.
Made by Becky + Lila
Becky created this recipe with Lila and shared it with the perimenopause community.
The feel-good payoff
Why this meal can feel especially good in perimenopause
Think practical wins: steadier energy, comfortable fullness and one less food decision. Your response is personal, so use the prompts below to notice what works for you.
Perimenopause symptoms and relief · Office on Women’s HealthSteadier energy
Feel fueled, not flattened
A complete meal with protein, carbohydrates and fats is designed to offer more staying power than a quick carb-only fix.
Notice: energy 1–3 hours later
Digestive comfort
A portion that works for you
Fiber and plants can support digestion, but more is not always better overnight. Start with a comfortable portion and build gradually.
Notice: comfort + portion
Comfortably satisfied
Fullness that has staying power
This meal is designed to feel substantial, so finishing it can feel like the meal is complete rather than the start of an evening of grazing.
Notice: fullness 2–3 hours later
More staying power
Make the next few hours easier
This meal is built to be more sustaining than a snack-sized stopgap, with enough substance to carry you into the next part of the day.
Notice: energy + fullness later
Setup
Get set up
Choose your servings, gather what you need, then cook along below.
Prep
5 min
Cook
7 min
Total
12 min
How many are you cooking for?
The ingredient amounts update automatically.
Equipment
Large skillet
Time saver
Measure everything before you start so this quick recipe moves without pauses.
Do these three things first
- 1Set out all ingredients before cooking
- 2Measure the pantry ingredients before heating the pan
- 3Read through the steps once before you begin
Ingredients
Gather as you go
Ingredients
Cook along
Instructions
0 of 8 steps complete
Next: Heat the olive oil in a large…
- 01
Heat the olive oil in a large…
Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over high heat until shimmering, about 1 minute.
Look for: shimmering
Tap card to mark done - 02
Add the diced red bell pepper and…
Add the diced red bell pepper and sliced garlic clove to the hot skillet, sauteing for 2 minutes until fragrant and slightly softened.
Look for: fragrant and slightly softened
Tap card to mark done - 03
Stir in the chickpeas
Stir in the chickpeas, kale, and smoked paprika, cooking for 2 to 3 minutes until the kale is completely wilted and the chickpeas are warmed through.
Look for: the kale is completely wilted and the chickpeas are warmed through
Tap card to mark done - 04
Push the vegetable mixture to the outer…
Push the vegetable mixture to the outer edges of the pan to clear space in the center.
Tap card to mark done - 05
Place the whole squid into the clear…
Place the whole squid into the clear center of the skillet and sear undisturbed for 1 to 2 minutes until opaque and slightly golden on the bottom.
Look for: opaque and slightly golden on the bottom
Tap card to mark done - 06
Flip the squid and cook for another…
Flip the squid and cook for another 1 minute until completely opaque and tender—avoid overcooking to keep the squid tender.
Look for: completely opaque and tender—avoid overcooking to keep the squid tender
Tap card to mark done - 07
Remove the skillet from heat and stir…
Remove the skillet from heat and stir everything together, squeezing fresh lemon juice across the entire dish.
Tap card to mark done - 08
Transfer the warm squid and vegetable mix…
Transfer the warm squid and vegetable mix to a serving plate and enjoy immediately.
Ready when: everything is assembled and ready to enjoy
Tap card to mark done
Made this recipe?
Leave a quick rating or a cooking tip for the next woman.
Your symptoms change. Your plan should too.
One good meal is a start. Your whole week is better.
Tell Lila what you like, what you avoid and which symptoms are loud today. She’ll turn that context into meals, targets and small adjustments that fit real life.
Free to download