Calamari Recipe
Fried calamari served with marinara sauce.
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Ingredients
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Calamari
Marinara Sauce
Method
Calamari Preparation
- 1
Clean the Calamari
Rinse the fresh calamari under cold water. Remove the skin and innards, if not pre-cleaned, and cut the calamari into rings.
- 2
Marinate the Calamari
Place the calamari rings in a bowl and pour the buttermilk over them. Let it marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- 3
Prepare the Dry Mix
In a separate bowl, mix together the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, salt, black pepper, and garlic powder.
- 4
Heat the Oil
In a deep skillet or fryer, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 350°F (175°C).
- 5
Coat the Calamari
Remove the calamari from the buttermilk and allow excess to drip off. Dredge the calamari rings in the dry flour mixture until fully coated.
- 6
Fry the Calamari
Carefully place the coated calamari rings into the hot oil in batches, frying for 2-3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
Marinara Sauce Preparation
- 7
Sauté the Garlic
In a saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic cloves and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.
- 8
Combine Ingredients
Add the canned crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, black pepper, and sugar to the saucepan. Stir to combine.
- 9
Simmer the Sauce
Bring the sauce to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and let it cook for 15-20 minutes. Stir occasionally.
- 10
Finish with Basil
Remove from heat and stir in the fresh basil leaves. Adjust seasoning if necessary.