Estella Calamari Recipe
Buttermilk fried calamari, fried banana peppers, basil tartar sauce
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Ingredients
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Calamari
Fried Banana Peppers
Basil Tartar Sauce
Method
Calamari Preparation
- 1
Prepare the Calamari
Clean and slice the fresh calamari into rings. Rinse under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- 2
Marinate in Buttermilk
Place the sliced calamari in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Let them marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
- 3
Prepare the Coating
In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- 4
Heat the Oil
In a deep skillet or fryer, heat the vegetable oil to 350°F (175°C).
- 5
Fry the Calamari
Remove calamari from the buttermilk and dredge them in the flour mixture. Fry in batches for 2-3 minutes until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
Fried Banana Peppers Preparation
- 6
Prepare the Peppers
Wash and slice the banana peppers into rings, removing seeds if desired.
- 7
Marinate in Buttermilk
Dip the sliced banana peppers in buttermilk and let them soak for about 10 minutes.
- 8
Prepare the Coating
In a bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- 9
Fry the Banana Peppers
Dredge the buttermilk-soaked banana peppers in the flour mixture, then fry in the hot oil until golden, about 2-3 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
Basil Tartar Sauce Preparation
- 10
Mix the Sauce
In a bowl, combine mayonnaise, chopped fresh basil, lemon juice, chopped capers, Dijon mustard, salt, and black pepper.
- 11
Chill
Cover the tartar sauce and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld.