Calamari Recipe
Fried squid served with marinara sauce.
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Ingredients
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For the Calamari
For the Marinara Sauce
Method
For the Calamari
- 1
Prepare the Squid
In a bowl, soak the cleaned squid rings in buttermilk for about 30 minutes to tenderize and flavor them.
- 2
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder until well combined.
- 3
Heat the Oil
In a deep frying pan or a large pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You can use a thermometer to check the temperature.
- 4
Coat the Squid
Remove the squid from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off, then dredge the rings into the flour mixture until evenly coated.
- 5
Fry the Squid
Carefully add the coated squid rings to the hot oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- 6
Drain and Serve
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. Keep warm while you prepare the marinara sauce.
For the Marinara Sauce
- 7
- 8
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, and sugar. Stir well to combine.
- 9
Simmer the Sauce
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally, until it thickens slightly.
- 10
Serve
Serve the fried calamari hot with the marinara sauce on the side for dipping.