Calamari Fritti Recipe
Fried calamari served with marinara sauce.
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Ingredients
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Calamari
Marinara Sauce
Method
Prepare the Marinara Sauce
- 1
Cook the Garlic
In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic cloves and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
- 2
Add the Tomatoes
Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring the mixture to a simmer.
- 3
Simmer the Sauce
Reduce heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add the chopped fresh basil just before serving.
Prepare the Calamari
- 4
Mix Coating
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder. Mix well to create a uniform dry coating.
- 5
Heat the Oil
In a deep frying pan or a heavy-bottomed pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 375°F (190°C).
- 6
Coat the Calamari
Dredge the calamari rings in the flour mixture, ensuring they are evenly coated. Shake off any excess flour.
- 7
Fry the Calamari
Carefully add a few coated calamari rings to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- 8
Drain and Serve
Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried calamari from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Repeat with the remaining calamari.
