Crispy Calamari With Pickled Jalapeno Dipping Sauce Recipes

CRANBERRY-JALAPENO DIPPING SAUCE WITH CRISPY CHICKEN WINGS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the shallots and a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and chopped jalapenos, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic is soft, about 2 minutes. Add the cranberries, sugar, 3/4 cup water and jalapeno brine. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the cranberries have all burst, 8 to 10 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a food processor, and process until completely smooth. Season to taste with additional salt if needed. Pour into a serving dish, and cover with plastic wrap so it does not form a skin while you fry the chicken wings.
• Fill a large Dutch oven halfway with oil, and heat to 375 degrees F.
• Toss half the chicken wings with a large pinch of salt in a large bowl. Put the cornstarch and 1/2 teaspoon salt in another large bowl. Add the wings to the cornstarch, and toss to completely coat. Shake off the excess cornstarch, and fry the chicken wings in the hot oil until light golden brown and cooked through, 10 to 12 minutes, turning occasionally. (It's OK if the temperature drops slightly, though not below 350 degrees F, as the chicken wings fry.) Transfer the fried wings to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to absorb any excess oil. Sprinkle liberally with salt. Let the oil return to 375 degrees F, then season, dredge and fry the remaining wings.
• Garnish the dipping sauce with the sliced pickled jalapenos, and serve alongside the hot chicken wings. The sauce can be made a day ahead, refrigerated and rewarmed before serving; if it thickens overnight, thin it out with 1 to 2 tablespoons water.

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.

WHOLE CRISPY ONAGA AND THAI DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine salt, pepper, paprika and corn starch. Coat fish with seasoned mixture.
• In a hot wok with hot oil, fry both sides of fish until crispy. Place fish in oven for 3 to 5 minutes until fish is cooked through.
• Start with citrus juices, water and sugar. Combine and make like lemonade then add patis, garlic, chili flakes, cilantro to taste. "Sweet and tart".

FIVE-SPICE CALAMARI WITH DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• For dipping sauce:
• Combine all ingredients except mayonnaise in processor. Blend well. Transfer to bowl. Stir in mayonnaise. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Whisk before serving.)
• For calamari:
• Pour oil to depth of 3 inches in heavy large pot. Heat to 350°F. Whisk next 4 ingredients in large bowl to blend. Pour buttermilk into another large bowl. Add calamari to buttermilk. Working in batches, remove calamari; dredge in flour mixture. Fry until just crisp, about 2 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Serve warm with sauce.
• *Available in the Asian foods section of many supermarkets.
• **A blend of ground anise, cinnamon, star anise, cloves and ginger available in the spice section of most supermarkets.