Crispy Calamari Recipe
Served with spicy marinara sauce.
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Ingredients
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Crispy Calamari
Spicy Marinara Sauce
Method
Crispy Calamari
- 1
Prepare the Calamari
Rinse the calamari rings under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. This helps to remove any excess moisture.
- 2
Make the Batter
In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well to ensure all dry ingredients are evenly distributed.
- 3
Dip in Buttermilk
Pour the buttermilk into a separate bowl. Dip each calamari ring into the buttermilk, allowing any excess to drip off, and then dredge them in the flour mixture. Ensure they are well-coated.
- 4
Heat the Oil
In a deep skillet or heavy-bottomed pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C). You can test the heat by dropping a small amount of batter into the oil; it should sizzle immediately.
- 5
Fry the Calamari
Working in batches, carefully add the coated calamari rings to the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Remove them with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- 6
Serve
Serve the crispy calamari immediately while hot, paired with the spicy marinara sauce.
Spicy Marinara Sauce
- 7
- 8
Add tomatoes and spices
Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, red pepper flakes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Mix well to combine.
- 9
Simmer
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. This allows the flavors to meld together.
- 10
Finish with Basil
Remove from heat and stir in the chopped fresh basil. Adjust seasoning if necessary.
- 11
Serve
Serve the spicy marinara sauce warm alongside the crispy calamari.
