Calamari Fritti Recipe
Fresh calamari deep fried to a crisp golden brown, served with house marinara.
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Ingredients
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Calamari
House Marinara Sauce
Method
Prepare the Calamari
- 1
Clean and Cut Calamari
Rinse the fresh calamari under cold water. Remove the outer skin and cut the calamari into 1/2 inch rings.
- 2
Prepare Dredging Station
In one bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, and black pepper. In another bowl, beat the eggs. In a third bowl, place the panko breadcrumbs.
Fry the Calamari
- 3
Heat the Oil
In a deep fryer or large pot, heat the vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C).
- 4
Dredge the Calamari
Take a ring of calamari, dip it in the flour mixture, then the egg, and finally coat it in panko breadcrumbs. Repeat with all calamari rings.
- 5
Fry the Calamari
Carefully place the breaded calamari rings into the hot oil, frying in batches to avoid overcrowding. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Prepare the Marinara Sauce
- 6
- 7
Make the Sauce
Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, chopped basil, and sugar to the saucepan. Stir to combine and let simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve
- 8
Plate the Dish
Arrange the fried calamari on a serving platter and serve hot with the marinara sauce on the side for dipping.