Calamari Recipe
Fried calamari served with marinara sauce
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Ingredients
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For the Calamari
For the Marinara Sauce
Method
Preparing the Marinara Sauce
- 1
Sauté Garlic
In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 2
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Add the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, dried basil, salt, black pepper, and sugar to the saucepan. Stir well to combine.
- 3
Simmer the Sauce
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Adjust seasoning to taste.
- 4
Finish with Parsley
Once done, stir in the chopped fresh parsley and remove from heat. Set aside.
Preparing the Calamari
- 5
Prepare the Buttermilk Mixture
In a bowl, pour 1 cup of buttermilk over the calamari rings and let them marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- 6
Mix Dry Ingredients
In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and paprika.
- 7
Heat the Oil
In a deep pot or fryer, heat 4 cups of vegetable oil to 375°F (190°C).
- 8
Coat the Calamari
Remove the calamari from the buttermilk, letting excess drip off. Dredge the calamari rings in the flour mixture until well coated.
- 9
Fry the Calamari
Carefully place the coated calamari rings into the hot oil, frying in batches for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Use a slotted spoon to remove them and place on paper towels to drain excess oil.
- 10
Serve
Serve the fried calamari hot with the marinara sauce on the side for dipping.