Fried Calamari Recipe
Lightly breaded and fried calamari served with marinara sauce.
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Ingredients
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Calamari
Marinara Sauce
Method
Preparing Calamari
- 1
Clean and Slice Calamari
Rinse the fresh calamari under cold water. Remove the tentacles and slice the bodies into rings about 1/2 inch thick.
- 2
Marinate Calamari
Place the calamari rings and tentacles in a bowl. Pour the buttermilk over them, mix well, and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
Breading and Frying
- 3
Prepare Breading Mixture
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika. Mix well.
- 4
Heat Oil
In a deep frying pan or pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- 5
Bread Calamari
Remove the marinated calamari from the refrigerator. Dredge each piece in the breading mixture, ensuring each piece is well-coated.
- 6
Fry Calamari
Carefully place the breaded calamari into the hot oil in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Making Marinara Sauce
- 7
- 8
Combine Ingredients
Add the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and sugar to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
- 9
Simmer Sauce
Bring the sauce to a simmer. Reduce heat to low and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serving
- 10
Plate the Calamari
Once the calamari is fried, serve it hot on a plate with a side of marinara sauce for dipping.