Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Rose Town Kitchen & Bar›Fried Calamari Recipe

Fried Calamari Recipe

Inspired by Rose Town Kitchen & Bar
Time1h
Serves4

Served with garlic aioli and marinara.

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Ingredients

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Calamari

Garlic Aioli

Marinara Sauce

Method

Preparing the Calamari

  1. 1

    Marinate the Calamari

    In a bowl, soak the cleaned calamari rings in buttermilk for at least 30 minutes. This will tenderize the calamari and help the coating stick.

  2. 2

    Prepare the Coating

    In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder. Mix well.

Frying the Calamari

  1. 3

    Heat the Oil

    In a deep skillet or frying pan, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 180°C (350°F). Use a thermometer for accuracy.

  2. 4

    Coat the Calamari

    Remove the calamari from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge the calamari rings in the flour mixture, ensuring they are well-coated.

  3. 5

    Fry the Calamari

    Carefully place the coated calamari rings in the hot oil in batches. Fry for about 1-2 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Avoid overcrowding the pan.

  4. 6

    Drain and Serve

    Once cooked, remove the calamari with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Season with salt while still hot.

Making the Garlic Aioli

  1. 7

    Combine the Ingredients

    In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, minced garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and black pepper. Stir until well combined.

  2. 8

    Taste and Adjust

    Taste the aioli and adjust seasoning with more salt and pepper if needed. Set aside until ready to serve.

Preparing the Marinara Sauce

  1. 9

    Sauté Garlic

    In a saucepan, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  2. 10

    Add Tomatoes and Simmer

    Pour in the crushed tomatoes and add dried oregano. Season with salt and black pepper. Let the sauce simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

  3. 11

    Finish and Serve

    Once the marinara sauce has thickened slightly, remove it from heat. Garnish with fresh chopped basil.

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