To top off the top-notch tapas, we made calamari. We bought a bag of frozen, pre cut calamari, and it was surprisingly good. I like this dry fried version, as it is very light and not saturated in oil like some calamari can be. Goes great dipped in the Paprika Aioli!
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Dry Fried Calamari
Makes 4 appetizer servings. Recipe from Alton Brown.
Ingredients
2 quarts peanut oil (we didn’t use this much… you just need enough to cover the calamari)
1 pound squid, tubes and tentacles
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup plain cornmeal
Kosher salt
Freshly ground black pepperDirections
Place the peanut oil in a 4 to 5-quart Dutch oven and place over medium-high heat. Heat oil until it reaches 375 degrees F.Rinse the squid thoroughly and pat dry. Cut the tentacles in half lengthwise and the tubes into 1/2-inch rings. Set aside.
Place the flour and the cornmeal into a medium mixing bowl and stir to combine. In small handfuls, dredge the squid in the flour and cornmeal mixture and shake off the excess. In batches, gently lower the squid into the hot oil. Cook for 1 minute. The squid will not be browned, but lightly golden in color. Remove the squid and transfer to a cooling rack turned upside down set over a newspaper-lined sheet pan. Season with salt and pepper, as desired. Repeat until all of the squid is cooked. Make sure to check the temperature of the oil before each batch to ensure it is 375 degrees F. Serve immediately.
FORGOT! the PEPPER FLAKES ARE A must have! To me it must have the heat.
I have used frozen calamari for a number of recipes.It is a big time saver for sure!It certainly doesn’t take long to cook,what ever you are using it in. Seafood Marinara with Clams & Shrimp over Angelhair or liquine.
My own thing is to add the hot pepper flakes to the Olive Oil when sauteing the Garlic!!!
The frozen squid sounds like a time saver, and it seems like the freezing process might actually help tenderize the flesh. Did it seem to be that way?
The calamari looks great BTW, nice and light looking.
Frozen pre-cut calamari seems like an awesome product – no time wasted in prep. What could be easier.
Glad I stumbled across your site – well designed and in keeping with my own philosophy. Lindsay designs is