Calamari Fritti Recipe
Crispy fried calamari served with marinara sauce.
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Ingredients
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For the Calamari
For the Marinara Sauce
Method
For the Calamari
- 1
Prepare the Calamari
Rinse the fresh calamari tubes under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels. Cut the tubes into rings.
- 2
Make the Breading
In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well.
- 3
Soak in Buttermilk
Pour the buttermilk into a shallow dish. Dip the calamari rings into the buttermilk, ensuring they are well-coated.
- 4
Coat with Flour Mixture
Remove the calamari from the buttermilk and allow excess to drip off. Dredge the rings in the flour mixture until evenly coated.
- 5
- 6
Fry the Calamari
Carefully add the coated calamari rings to the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes or until golden brown.
- 7
Drain and Serve
Remove the fried calamari from the oil with a slotted spoon and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve immediately.
For the Marinara Sauce
- 8
- 9
- 10
Add Tomatoes and Seasoning
Pour in the crushed tomatoes, and add the dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Stir to combine.
- 11
Simmer the Sauce
Bring the mixture to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 12
Finish with Basil
Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the chopped fresh basil. Remove from heat and serve warm.
