Calamari Fritti Recipe
Fried calamari served with marinara sauce.
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Ingredients
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Calamari
Marinara Sauce
Method
Calamari Preparation
- 1
Clean the Calamari
Rinse the fresh calamari under cold water. Remove the heads and innards. Cut the bodies into rings about 1/2 inch wide.
- 2
Marinate
In a bowl, mix the calamari rings with buttermilk and let them marinate for about 30 minutes.
- 3
Prepare the Breading
In a separate bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper.
- 4
Coat the Calamari
Remove the calamari from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge the rings in the flour mixture until fully coated.
- 5
Heat the Oil
In a deep pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- 6
Fry the Calamari
Carefully place the coated calamari rings into the hot oil in batches. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Marinara Sauce Preparation
- 7
Sauté Garlic
In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 8
Add Tomatoes
Pour in the crushed tomatoes and stir well.
- 9
Season the Sauce
Add dried oregano, salt, black pepper, fresh basil leaves, and sugar. Stir to combine.
- 10
Simmer
Let the sauce simmer for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened.