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Calamari Recipe

Name: 80 Proof American Kitchen & Bars Calamari Recipe
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1 pound fresh calamari; 1 cup all-purpose flour; 1 cup cornstarch; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp paprika; 1 tsp garlic powder; 1 cup buttermilk; 4 cups vegetable oil; 14 oz canned crushed tomatoes; 2 tbs olive oil; 3 cloves garlic, minced; 1 tsp dried oregano; 1 tsp dried basil; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp black pepper; 1 tsp red pepper flakes; 1 tsp sugar

Inspired by 80 Proof American Kitchen & Bar

Time45m

Serves4

Fried calamari served with marinara sauce.

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Sandro de Bruno, Soave Classico, Veneto, Italy

crisp · bright acidity · herbal

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Ingredients

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Calamari

1 pound fresh calamari

1 cup 00 bread flour

1 cup Cornstarch

1 tsp Celtic sea salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp Watkins paprika

1 tsp Watkins garlic powder

1 cup Buttermilk

4 cups Tuscany sunflower oil

Marinara Sauce

14 oz canned crushed tomatoes

2 tbs olive oil

3 cloves Garlic, minced

1 tsp Dried oregano

1 tsp dried basil

1 tsp Celtic sea salt

1 tsp black pepper

1 tsp Red pepper flakes

1 tsp sugar

Method

Calamari Preparation

Clean the Calamari

Rinse the fresh calamari under cold water. Remove the outer skin and cut the calamari into rings about 1/2 inch thick.

Prepare the Batter

In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well to combine.

Dunk in Buttermilk

Place the cleaned calamari rings into a bowl and pour in the buttermilk. Allow to soak for about 10 minutes.

Coat the Calamari

Remove the calamari from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge the rings in the flour mixture until fully coated.

Heat Oil

In a deep frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C).

Fry the Calamari

Carefully add the coated calamari rings to the hot oil in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.

Drain and Serve

Remove the fried calamari from the oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot.

Marinara Sauce Preparation

Sauté Garlic

In a saucepan over medium heat, add the olive oil. Once hot, add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.

Add Tomatoes and Spices

Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes and add oregano, basil, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Stir well to combine.

Simmer Sauce

Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally until it thickens slightly.

Serve with Calamari

Once the sauce is done simmering, remove from heat and serve alongside the fried calamari.