Fried Calamari Recipe
Lightly breaded and fried to golden perfection.
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Ingredients
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Calamari
Breading
Frying
Serving
Method
Preparation
- 1
Clean the Calamari
Begin by cleaning the calamari. Rinse the squid under cold water, remove the head, and discard the insides. Cut the body into rings about 1 inch thick.
- 2
Soak in Buttermilk
Place the calamari rings in a bowl and pour buttermilk over them. Let the squid soak for at least 30 minutes to tenderize.
Breading
- 3
Prepare the Breading Mixture
In a shallow dish, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- 4
Coat the Calamari
Remove the calamari from the buttermilk and allow excess liquid to drip off. Dredge each ring in the breading mixture until fully coated. Shake off any excess.
Frying
- 5
Heat the Oil
In a deep skillet or fryer, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 180°C (350°F).
- 6
Fry the Calamari
Carefully add the breaded calamari rings to the hot oil in batches. Fry for about 2-3 minutes, or until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan.
- 7
Drain the Calamari
Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried calamari from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
Serving
- 8
Plate the Calamari
Serve the fried calamari hot, garnished with lemon wedges and alongside marinara sauce for dipping.