Calamari With Pepper Dip Recipes

SALT AND PEPPER FRIED SQUID

Steps:

• If using frozen calamari/squid, defrost overnight in the fridge then drain off any excess liquid and pat dry with paper towels. If you're using whole squid, cut the tubes into thick rings with a sharp knife before dredging with flour and deep frying.
• In a large bowl, mix together flour, salt and black pepper.
• Add the squid to the flour mixture and dredge, making sure each piece of calamari/squid is completely covered and that the pieces are separate.
• Heat enough oil to fry the Calamari in a large pot or Dutch Oven over medium high heat.
• Once the oil is hot, shake off the excess flour then add the calamari in batches and cook until golden brown and crisp.
• Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels or a wire rack before serving.
• Combine the mayonnaise and garlic together in a small bowl.
• Serve the squid with garlic mayo and lemon wedges.

CALAMARI WITH PEPPER DIP

Steps:

• Mix the mayonnaise and the yogurt together in a small bowl. Stir in the jalapeno pepper, cumin and 1 teaspoon paprika. Refrigerate until ready to serve as a dip.
• Mix the flour, remaining paprika and cayenne pepper together in a large bowl. Pour the oil to a depth of two inches in a large skillet or a wok, and begin heating it.
• Put the squid rings and any tentacles in the flour mixture, and toss to coat and separate them. Shake off as much excess flour as possible.
• Fry the squid pieces, a few at a time, until golden. Do not crowd them in the pan. As they are done, transfer them to absorbent paper, and continue frying until all have been cooked.
• Dust with salt and serve at once with lemon wedges and the dip.

FRIED CALAMARI WITH SPICY RED SAUCE

Steps:

• Add the olive oil to a medium pot over medium heat. Once it's hot, add the onions and garlic and cook until the onions are translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste and red pepper flakes and stir until the tomato paste is thoroughly incorporated. Add the crushed tomatoes to a food mill and process the tomatoes directly into the pot. Add the grated carrots and season with kosher salt. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Adjust the seasoning as needed. Cover and put aside to keep warm.
• Heat the canola oil in a large Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with paper towels.
• Add the rice flour, semolina flour, pepper and 2 teaspoons kosher salt to a large shallow dish and mix until thoroughly combined. Working in 3 batches, toss the calamari, pickled pepper slices and rosemary sprigs in the seasoned flour, then scoop them out with a pasta spider and shake off the excess; transfer to the oil. Fry for 90 seconds, then remove to the paper towels and season with flaky sea salt. Repeat until all the calamari is cooked.
• Serve with the lemon wedges and spicy marinara on the side.

SALT AND PEPPER CALAMARI

Steps:

• For the calamari: In a large heavy-bottomed skillet, heat the canola oil over medium-high heat to 360 degrees F.
• In a large bowl, stir together the cornstarch and flour with a generous amount of salt and pepper. Toss the squid in the cornstarch, being sure to completely coat.
• Working in batches, lift the squid from the cornstarch, shaking to remove any excess, and carefully place in the oil. Fry until lightly golden and crisp, 3 to 4 minutes. Remove from the oil and drain on a baking sheet lined with a brown paper bag. Repeat with the remaining squid.
• For the dipping sauce: Combine the soy sauce, chili sauce, lime juice, garlic, scallions and ginger in a small bowl. Stir together and serve with the calamari.

SPICY AND GREASY RHODE ISLAND CALAMARI

Steps:

• Working Ahead:
• The squid can be cleaned (if necessary) and cut in the morning, then covered and refrigerated. The fry mix can also be made early in the day.
• Cut squid bodies into 1/2″ rings and put in a colander set over a bowl; add whole tentacles. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use (up to 6 hours).
• Fry Mix:
• Combine cornstarch, flour, cornmeal, salt, and both peppers in a large bowl and whisk well. Refrigerate if not using within an hour or two to prevent humidity from changing the mixture.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Heat 3" of oil in a 4-quart Dutch oven over medium heat (or in a deep fryer) until it registers 360° on a deep-fry thermometer.
• While oil is heating, pour buttermilk into a large bowl and drop squid into it. Stir with a Chinese wire-mesh skimmer to coat, then lift about half of squid pieces from buttermilk, allowing excess buttermilk to drip back into bowl, and drop pieces into the dry mix. Rinse and dry the wire skimmer. Toss pieces to coat evenly with the mix, then lift them out with skimmer, gently shake off excess fry mix, and transfer to a plate. Bread remaining squid. Rinse and dry skimmer.
• Heat a 10″-12″sauté pan over medium heat and add butter. Once it melts, add garlic and sauté until golden. Add drained cherry peppers and toss to combine. Turn heat down to low while you fry squid.
• When the oil is hot, carefully drop half the squid pieces into oil. If any of the pieces stick to the bottom of the pot, loosen with tongs. Turn squid occasionally to cook evenly; it will only take about 1 1/2 minutes until they are crisp and golden.
• Fry remaining squid and drain.
• Add all of fried squid to the hot pan with the garlic and sliced peppers, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and quickly and gently toss (only twice). Divide among 4 small plates and serve immediately.