Fried Calamari Recipe
Lightly breaded and fried calamari served with marinara.
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Ingredients
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Calamari
Marinara Sauce
Method
Preparing the Marinara Sauce
- 1
Sauté Garlic
In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic cloves and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant, being careful not to burn them.
- 2
Add Tomatoes and Seasonings
Stir in the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and sugar. Bring to a simmer.
- 3
Simmer
Reduce the heat to low and let the sauce simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Add Fresh Basil
Once the sauce has thickened, stir in the chopped fresh basil. Remove from heat and set aside.
Preparing the Calamari
- 5
Heat Oil
In a deep frying pan or pot, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- 6
Prepare the Coating
In a shallow bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, paprika, and garlic powder.
- 7
Dunk Calamari in Buttermilk
Soak the calamari rings in buttermilk for about 10 minutes to tenderize them.
- 8
Coat Calamari
Remove the calamari from the buttermilk, allowing excess to drip off. Dredge each piece in the flour mixture, ensuring they are well coated.
- 9
Fry Calamari
Carefully place the coated calamari into the hot oil in batches, being careful not to overcrowd the pan. Fry for about 2-3 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- 10
Drain and Serve
Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried calamari from the oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil. Serve hot with marinara sauce on the side.