Fried Calamari Recipe
Crispy calamari served with a spicy marinara sauce.
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Ingredients
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For the Calamari
For the Spicy Marinara Sauce
Method
For the Calamari
- 1
Prepare the Calamari
Rinse the calamari rings under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
- 2
Make the Breading Mixture
In a bowl, mix the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and cayenne pepper.
- 3
- 4
Coat the Calamari
Dip each calamari ring first into the egg mixture, then coat with the flour mixture. Shake off the excess flour.
- 5
Heat the Oil
In a deep frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- 6
Fry the Calamari
Carefully add the coated calamari rings to the hot oil in batches, frying for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- 7
Drain and Keep Warm
Use a slotted spoon to remove the fried calamari and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Keep warm while you fry the remaining calamari.
For the Spicy Marinara Sauce
- 8
Prepare the Sauce
In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and red pepper flakes, sautéing for about 30 seconds until fragrant.
- 9
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Stir in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Bring to a simmer and cook for about 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 10
Finish the Sauce
Once the sauce has thickened slightly, stir in the chopped fresh basil. Remove from heat and set aside.
