Seared Calamari With Basil Recipes

EASY CALAMARI RECIPE WITH GARLIC LIME SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large cast iron skillet, heat 1/4 cup of olive oil and 1 tbsp of unsalted butter. Turn heat to medium-high and add the garlic, saute briefly, tossing regularly, until fragrant (this should take seconds, garlic should only gain a little color, do not burn it.)
• Pat calamari dry and add to the pan, cook for 1 to 2 minutes over medium-high heat (calamari will release some liquid.) Add white wine and lime juice. Cook briefly to warm though (do not overcook or calamari will turn rubbery. You are just looking for the sauce to warm through) Season with salt and pepper. If you like a little spice, add a pinch of cayenne.
• Finally, stir in the fresh dill. Remove from heat and serve (see serving suggestions in notes)

PAN-SEARED CALAMARI WITH SPICY MARINARA OVER LINGUINE

Steps:

• Cook linguine according to package directions.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet and a small saucepot. To both, add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add calamari to the skillet and cook 2 minutes. Then to both, add pasta sauce and crushed red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes, until calamari is tender. Reserve tomato sauce in the saucepot for another meal.
• Transfer linguine to a serving platter. Spoon all of the calamari and tomato sauce over linguine. Garnish with basil, if desired.

SEARED SEA SCALLOPS WITH LINGUINI IN A HERB AND WINE SAUCE

Steps:

• Place a large pot of water over high heat and bring up to a boil for the pasta. Once at a boil add some salt and cook pasta to package directions. Hold off on starting the scallops until you drop your pasta.
• Remove the mussel from the scallops then with a paper towel pat them dry and season them with salt and pepper.
• Preheat a large skillet over medium high heat. Add 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil, about 1 turn around the pan and 2 tablespoons of the butter. When butter melts into oil, add scallops. Brown scallops 2 minutes on each side, then remove from pan and cover loosely with foil to keep warm.
• Add an additional drizzle of olive oil to the skillet and add the garlic, shallots, crushed red pepper flakes, thyme, a little salt and pepper. Reduce heat a little and saute garlic and shallots 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Add wine to the pan and free up any pan drippings. Reduce wine 1 minute, then add seafood stock. Continue to cook for about 1 minute. Add the basil, parsley, lemon zest and juice and the remaining 1 tablespoon of butter, shake and stir the mixture until the butter has melted. Add the cooked linguini and cook for about 30 seconds, just to combine and let the pasta soak up the sauce.
• Divide the pasta between 2 serving plates and top with reserved scallops.
• For the side salad, in a bowl combine the arugula and tomatoes, drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil, a splash of balsamic vinegar, and season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat and serve.
• And for dessert, rinse strawberries and arrange on a plate. Serve with a glass of Champagne.

CALAMARI WITH TOMATOES, CAPER BERRIES, AND BASIL

Steps:

• Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a saute pan over medium heat. Add minced garlic and shallots, and cook until soft, about 4 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with juice, wine, water, chile, basil, orange zest, and 2 teaspoons salt. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, and simmer gently until slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, using a kitchen mallet, pound both sides of calamari bodies a few times to tenderize, then cut crosswise into 1/2-inch rings. (Leave tentacles whole, or halve if large.)
• Add calamari and caper berries to sauce. Cook until calamari are opaque, 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Heat remaining 3 tablespoons oil in another skillet. Rub bread with garlic clove. Add clove to oil, and cook 2 minutes. Add bread, and fry, flipping once, until golden and crisp, about 1 1/2 minutes total. Put 1 slice of bread into each serving bowl, and top with calamari and sauce. Season with pepper. Drizzle with oil if desired, and garnish with basil.

FRIED CALAMARI WITH BASIL AND LEMON WITH ARRABBIATA

Steps:

• Add calamari rings to a large mixing bowl and cover with milk (use more or less to completely cover the calamari. Peel garlic cloves and gently bash with the side of a knife to open the clove and release some of the juices. Add to the bowl, season with salt and pepper, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Heat approximately 3-inches of vegetable oil to 350 degrees F. in a deep-fryer or heavy bottomed pot. Remove calamari bowl from the refrigerator stir in the basil. Set up 2 large mixing bowls: 1 with a colander sitting in it and the other with seasoned flour. Dump the calamari into the colander and drain the milk. Shake the colander to remove excess liquid then place the strained calamari and basil into the flour. Toss to coat, and then place back into the colander to remove excess flour. Fry (both calamari and basil leaves) in batches until crispy and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the calamari and basil leaves to a tray lined with paper towels to drain, as you cook.
• For the Arrabbiata sauce:
• Set a large skillet over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add chopped garlic, onion and red pepper flakes. Saute until fragrant then add tomatoes and wine. Break up tomatoes with the back of your wooden spoon and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until some of the juice has reduced. When done, give it a final seasoning with salt and pepper, then puree in a blender (or use an immersion blender) until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and sugar and serve with calamari.

SEARED CALAMARI WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Blanch basil in a small saucepan of boiling water 15 seconds, then drain in a sieve and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
• Drain basil and squeeze out excess liquid, then purée in a blender with olive oil, water, lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper until dressing is bright green and smooth, about 1 minute.
• Cut each body sac of calamari lengthwise along seam to open into a flat piece; rinse well. Pat calamari dry, then cut body sacs into 1-inch pieces and halve any large tentacles lengthwise.
• Toss beans, tomatoes, celery, and onion with 1/3 cup basil dressing, then gently toss with greens. Season with salt and lemon juice, then divide among 4 plates.
• Heat griddle over high heat until hot. Meanwhile, toss calamari with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Brush griddle with vegetable oil, then cook calamari in 1 layer, stirring occasionally with tongs, until browned in spots and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Divide calamari among salads; drizzle with some of remaining dressing.

SHRIMP-STUFFED CALAMARI WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Prepare the calamari: Rinse the bodies and set aside. Dice the tentacles and the shrimp into 1/4-to-1/2-inch pieces. Beat the egg in a large bowl. Add the diced calamari tentacles and shrimp, the breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, basil, lemon zest and juice, anchovies and garlic. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste and mix until combined.
• Using your fingers, stuff each calamari body about two-thirds full with the shrimp-breadcrumb mixture and close with a toothpick. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a wide pot over medium-high heat. Sear the calamari in batches until browned and opaque on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes, and transfer to a plate.
• Make the sauce: Lower the heat, add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pot and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt, then add the wine and scrape up any browned bits from the pot. Boil until the wine is almost evaporated, then crush the tomatoes into the pot with your hands and add the juices. Add 1 cup water, 3/4 teaspoon salt and the basil stalks. Arrange the calamari in a single layer in the pot. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the calamari are tender, about 40 minutes. Uncover and cook until the sauce thickens, 10 to 15 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the polenta: Place 4 1/2 cups cold water in a separate pot over low heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and the bay leaf. Whisk in the polenta in a slow, steady stream, then increase the heat to medium and bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Reduce the heat and cook at a bare simmer, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the polenta is thick and pulls away from the sides of the pot, about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and cheese.
• Divide the polenta among shallow bowls. Discard the toothpicks and place the calamari on top of the polenta. Remove the basil stalks and spoon the sauce over the dish. Garnish with the chopped basil and more parmesan.

SEARED CALAMARI WITH WHITE BEANS AND CHORIZO

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the calamari rings, garlic, chili flakes, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Set aside.
• Heat a 12-inch skillet over medium-high heat. Toss in the chorizo and cook, shaking frequently, for 3 to 5 minutes or until slightly browned. Transfer the chorizo to a plate lined with a paper towel. Wipe out the skillet and return to high heat.
• Add the oil to the skillet and heat until very hot. Add the calamari mixture to the skillet; be careful because the pan will flame. Saute for a few minutes and then add the chorizo, beans and their juice, red bell peppers, parsley, lemon juice, and butter. Bring to a boil and simmer for 1 to 2 minutes. Adjust seasonings. If there isn't enough liquid, add a few tablespoons of clam juice or water.
• To serve, pour the stew into a shallow bowl and pass the croutons.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
• Mix the olive oil, garlic, parsley, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper together. Cut the baguette into 1/4-inch slices at a severe angle. Lay baguette slices on a cookie sheet and brush with the seasoned oil. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until golden.

SPICY CALAMARI WITH FREGOLA

Steps:

• Spread the calamari on a baking sheet and pat dry as best you can with paper towels. Season generously with salt and pepper.
• Put 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large, wide skillet over high heat. Add calamari and quickly stir-fry, cooking for only 1 minute, until puffed. Remove from pan with slotted spoon and set aside.
• Return pan to stove, reduce heat to medium-high and add 1 tablespoon olive oil. Add crushed red pepper, anchovy and garlic and let sizzle, then add onions and stir well.
• Season onions generously and cook, stirring, for 2 to 3 minutes, until softened and faintly colored. Add saffron and wine and simmer for 1 minute, then add tomato and broth. Adjust heat so sauce simmers gently for about 10 minutes, until flavors are well mingled. Taste for salt and hot pepper.
• Meanwhile, bring 4 cups salted water to a boil. Add fregola and cook until al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain and keep warm.
• Add par-cooked calamari to the sauce over high heat. Add basil leaves and stir well until everything is heated through and calamari are completely cooked, about 2 minutes. Transfer to a warm serving bowl and fold in cooked fregola. Sprinkle with oregano, add a drizzle of olive oil, if desired, and serve.