Calamari Fritti Recipe
Crispy fried calamari served with marinara sauce.
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Ingredients
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Calamari
Marinara Sauce
Method
Preparing the Marinara Sauce
- 1
Sauté the Garlic
In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add 3 minced garlic cloves and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
- 2
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Pour in the canned crushed tomatoes, then add 1 teaspoon of dried oregano, 1 teaspoon of dried basil, and season with salt and black pepper to taste. Stir well.
- 3
Simmer the Sauce
Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Preparing the Calamari
- 4
Mix the Dry Ingredients
In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, 1 cup of cornstarch, 1 teaspoon of salt, 1 teaspoon of black pepper, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 1 teaspoon of garlic powder. Mix well.
- 5
Prepare the Calamari
In another bowl, beat 2 large eggs. Dip the cleaned calamari rings into the beaten eggs, allowing excess to drip off, then coat them in the flour mixture.
- 6
Heat the Oil
In a deep frying pan or pot, heat 4 cups of vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- 7
Fry the Calamari
Carefully add the coated calamari rings to the hot oil in batches. Fry for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- 8
Serve
Serve the crispy fried calamari hot with the marinara sauce on the side for dipping.