Sweet & Spicy Calamari Recipe
Lightly fried calamari, tossed in a spicy-sweet sofrito sauce. Served over a black olive aioli, with mixed capers and pickled Italian peppers.
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Ingredients
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Calamari
Sofrito Sauce
Black Olive Aioli
Garnish
Method
Preparation of Black Olive Aioli
- 1
Make the Aioli
In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise, chopped black olives, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Mix well until smooth. Set aside.
Preparation of Sofrito Sauce
- 2
Cook the Sofrito
In a medium saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant. Then add chopped red bell pepper. Cook for another 3-4 minutes until softened.
- 3
Add Sweet and Spicy Ingredients
Stir in honey, sriracha sauce, soy sauce, and lime juice. Allow the mixture to simmer for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally. Once thickened, remove from heat and set aside.
Preparation of Calamari
- 4
Prepare the Calamari
In a bowl, combine flour, salt, and black pepper. Dredge the calamari rings in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess.
- 5
Fry the Calamari
In a large pot, heat oil to 350°F (175°C). Fry the calamari in batches for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Assembly
- 6
Combine and Serve
In a large mixing bowl, toss the fried calamari with the sofrito sauce until well coated. On a serving plate, spread a layer of black olive aioli. Top with the sofrito-coated calamari. Sprinkle with capers and sliced pickled Italian peppers. Serve immediately.