Calamari Fritti Recipe
Lightly breaded and fried calamari served with marinara sauce.
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Ingredients
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Calamari
Marinara Sauce
Method
Prepare the Marinara Sauce
- 1
- 2
Sauté Garlic
Add 2 minced garlic cloves to the pan and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 3
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Pour in the can of crushed tomatoes and stir in 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 teaspoon of black pepper. Bring to a simmer.
- 4
Finish the Sauce
Let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in 1 tablespoon of fresh chopped basil before serving.
Prepare the Calamari
- 5
Clean the Calamari
Rinse 1 pound of fresh calamari under cold water and slice into rings.
- 6
Set Up Breading Station
In one bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper. In a second bowl, beat 2 large eggs. In a third bowl, place 1 cup of breadcrumbs.
- 7
Bread the Calamari
Dip each calamari ring into the flour mixture, then the beaten eggs, and finally coat with breadcrumbs.
- 8
Heat the Oil
In a deep frying pan, heat 4 cups of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- 9
Fry the Calamari
Carefully add the breaded calamari rings to the hot oil in batches. Fry until golden brown, about 2-3 minutes per side. Remove and drain on paper towels.