Prepare to tantalize your taste buds with a culinary journey into the realm of fried calamari, where crispy textures meet savory flavors. This seafood delicacy, often served as an appetizer or main course, is a symphony of taste and texture that has captivated palates worldwide. Indulge in a delightful exploration of four delectable dipping sauce recipes, each offering a unique symphony of flavors to complement the golden-fried calamari. From the classic and tangy Marinara sauce, to the creamy and flavorful Garlic Aioli, the spicy kick of the Arrabbiata sauce, and the zesty freshness of the Lemon Butter sauce, these recipes promise an unforgettable culinary experience. With step-by-step instructions and a treasure trove of tips, this article will guide you effortlessly through the process of crafting these delectable sauces, transforming your fried calamari into an extraordinary culinary masterpiece.
Here are our top 6 tried and tested recipes!
FRIED CALAMARI WITH SPICY MAYONNAISE
This fried calamari with spicy mayonnaise is nothing short of delicious.
Provided by RecipeGirl.com (adapted from Coastal Living)
Categories Appetizer
Time 1h50m
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- In a small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and Sriracha. Cover with plastic wrap and chill until ready to serve.
- Add the buttermilk to a bowl. Add the calamari, and let it soak; chill for at least 1 hour.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, salt, pepper and paprika. Remove the calamari from the buttermilk and dredge it in the flour mixture. Shake off the excess, and separate the rings and tentacles.
- Pour oil to depth of 2 inches into a large pot; heat to 365°F. Fry the calamari, in batches, 1 minute or until done. Drain on paper towels, and serve warm with the spicy mayonnaise.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 appetizer, Calories 285 kcal, Carbohydrate 11 g, Protein 14 g, Fat 20 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, TransFat 1 g, Cholesterol 186 mg, Sodium 388 mg, Fiber 1 g, Sugar 1 g, UnsaturatedFat 15 g
FRIED CALAMARI W/GARLIC MAYONNAISE DIPPING SAUCE
My family loves this recipe as it beats anything they can order in a restaurant. It is light, crispy, not greasy and packed with suttle yet notable flavors.
Provided by Nancy Vargas
Categories Seafood Appetizers
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- 1. Wash calamari and dry well with paper towels.
- 2. Whisk egg whites, cornstarch, grated garlic, salt and pepper until foamy.
- 3. Dip calamari into mixture, shake off excess and dip and coat with panko bread crumbs. Sit in frig for about 20 minutes.
- 4. Heat oil to 350 degrees in small skillet or use deep fryer. Fry calamari until golden (about 1 minutes), drain on paper towels and sprinkle with a little more salt. Can keep warm in 180 degree oven on a rack with door ajar until ready to add to Toss.
- 5. For Calamari Toss, saute pepper flakes and chopped garlic in a little oil for just a little bit(30 seconds). Don't burn garlic. Add sliced celery and saute about 1 minute. Add lemon (sliced moons) at end and saute for about 20 seconds and remove from heat. Toss with finished calamari.
- 6. For dipping sauce - Combine mayo, grated garlic, Italian parsley and lemon juice. Place on a small bowl to the side of the calamari.
- 7. Finish with a little lemon zest over the top - OPTIONAL.
FRIED CALAMARI WITH SPICY RED SAUCE
Provided by Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 1h5m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
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.
FRIED CALAMARI WITH SWEET ORANGE SAUCE
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories appetizer
Time 55m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For the sweet orange sauce: Combine the orange juice and honey in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat slightly and cook at a very brisk simmer until the mixture is syrupy and reduced to a little less than 1/2 cup, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from the heat. Let cool slightly, then whisk in the oil, lemon juice, parsley and crushed red pepper. Transfer to a ramekin or small bowl.
- For the fried calamari: Fill a large, wide pot with 1 1/2 inches oil and heat over medium-high heat until it registers 350 degrees F on a deep-frying thermometer. Line a tray with paper towels. Meanwhile, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, paprika, 2 teaspoons salt and 1 teaspoon pepper in a wide, shallow bowl.
- Toss the squid and chiles with the flour mixture, making sure all the squid rings are separated and everything is thoroughly coated. Transfer about a third of the squid and chile mixture to a kitchen spider or slotted spoon and shake to remove the excess flour. Carefully add the squid and chiles to the hot oil and fry until crisp and just barely golden, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Transfer to the prepared tray with a slotted spoon and sprinkle generously with salt. Repeat the sifting and frying process with the remaining squid, making sure to return the oil to 350 degrees F between batches.
- Transfer to the fried squid to a plate and sprinkle with the parsley. Serve with the lemon and orange wedges and the sweet orange sauce for dipping.
FRIED CALAMARI WITH TWO DIPPING SAUCES
Living in New England we are spoiled to have some great fried seafood stands but they can be pricey so I thought about trying it on my own. This recipe is fantastic! And the dipping sauces really take it up a notch! Hope you love it as much as we do. Thanks Monica
Provided by Monica Keleher
Categories Other Snacks
Number Of Ingredients 29
Steps:
- 1. in a bowl add the buttermilk, sriracha, and calamari and let soak for up to 4 hours in the fridge
- 2. in a bowl combine the flour, salt, pepper, cayenne pepper, paprika and mix together.
- 3. In another bowl beat the eggs
- 4. get your deep fryer to 375 or a pan of oil
- 5. remove the calamari from the buttermilk.
- 6. dip the calamari in the egg and then into the flour mixture and shake off extra. Add the coated calamari to the oil and cook until golden brown. Remove and place on a paper towel or wire rack
- 7. To make the tomato olive dip. add olive oil to a sauce pan and add the onions and garlic, red pepper flakes and cook for a few minutes.
- 8. add the tomato paste, anchovies, olives, canned tomatoes and capers and let cook about 20 minutes. Taste and add salt and pepper to taste.
- 9. add the parsley and some lemon juice to taste.
- 10. For the old bay aioli dip Combine all ingredients in a bowl and serve Super easy! Super delicious!
FIVE-SPICE CALAMARI WITH DIPPING SAUCE
Categories Appetizer Fry Squid Summer Bon Appétit Pescatarian Peanut Free Tree Nut Free
Yield Makes 4 to 6 appetizer servings
Number Of Ingredients 18
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.
Tips:
- Choose the freshest calamari possible. Fresh calamari will have a firm texture and a slightly translucent appearance. Avoid calamari that is slimy or has a strong fishy smell.
- Clean the calamari properly. To clean calamari, first remove the head and tentacles. Then, cut the body into rings or strips. Remove the ink sac and any other internal organs. Rinse the calamari thoroughly under cold water.
- Use a light coating on the calamari. A heavy coating will make the calamari tough and greasy. Instead, use a light coating of flour, cornstarch, or breadcrumbs.
- Fry the calamari in hot oil. The oil should be at least 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Fry the calamari in batches until it is golden brown and cooked through.
- Serve the calamari with a dipping sauce. There are many different dipping sauces that you can use with calamari. Some popular options include tartar sauce, marinara sauce, and lemon-butter sauce.
Conclusion:
Fried calamari is a delicious and versatile appetizer or main course. It is easy to make and can be served with a variety of dipping sauces. Whether you are serving it at a party or enjoying it as a family meal, fried calamari is sure to be a hit!
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