Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Capriccio›Fried Calamari Recipe

Fried Calamari Recipe

Inspired by Capriccio
Time1h
Serves4

Tender fried calamari, red cherry peppers, marinara, lemon caper aioli

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Ingredients

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Calamari

Cherry Peppers

Marinara Sauce

Lemon Caper Aioli

Method

Calamari Preparation

  1. 1

    Clean the Calamari

    Rinse the fresh calamari under cold water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the bodies into rings and leave the tentacles whole.

  2. 2

    Prepare the Breading

    In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper. Mix well to ensure even distribution.

  3. 3

    Bread the Calamari

    Dredge the calamari rings and tentacles in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess coating.

Frying the Calamari

  1. 4

    Heat the Oil

    In a large pot or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).

  2. 5

    Fry the Calamari

    Carefully add the breaded calamari in batches to the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

Prepare Cherry Peppers

  1. 6

    Sauté the Peppers

    In a small skillet, sauté the red cherry peppers in a bit of olive oil over medium heat until they are slightly blistered and heated through, about 3-4 minutes.

Make Marinara Sauce

  1. 7

    Sauté Garlic

    In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  2. 8

    Simmer Sauce

    Add crushed tomatoes, chopped basil, salt, and sugar to the saucepan. Stir well and let it simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Make Lemon Caper Aioli

  1. 9

    Mix Ingredients

    In a mixing bowl, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, capers, minced garlic, salt, and black pepper. Stir until well blended.

Serve

  1. 10

    Plate the Dish

    Serve the fried calamari hot, garnished with sautéed cherry peppers. Provide marinara sauce and lemon caper aioli on the side for dipping.

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