I first had Calamari about 10 years ago and decided before it was brought to my table that I probably wouldn’t like it. But I love trying new things and have never been disappointed when I do. I love Deep fried Breaded Calamari…. I ordered it every time I visit a seafood restaurant or I make it myself at home.
Many people think Calamari is Octopus. Absolutely not. So, what is Calamari?
Calamari is a versatile seafood enjoyed worldwide. It is derived from the Italian word for squid. In the United States, it often refers to battered and deep-fried squid served as an appetizer. Squid is firm, white, mildly sweet, and nutty. It has a slightly tough texture that can easily turn rubbery if not prepared correctly. Just like scallops if you overcook them. When cooking it, keep in mind that you want your calamari to retain its chewiness without crossing over into being too rubbery.
Here's how I make mine.
Fried Calamari
1/2 cup whole milk
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1 lb. calamari, cut into rings (you can buy the rings frozen)
Vegetable oil, for frying
2 eggs, beaten
1 1/2 cups cracker meal ( I only use cracker meal for Calamari)
Lemon wedges, for serving
You can buy fresh calamari at the seafood department and slice yourself or buy frozen already sliced in rings.
If you have frozen calamari, thaw overnight in the refrigerator. If you have fresh calamari rings, rinse them under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.
In a medium bowl, whisk the milk and 1 teaspoon of the salt.
Add the calamari and refrigerate for 1 hour.
In a large heavy bottom pan or Dutch oven, heat 2 inches of oil over medium heat to 375 degrees. Remove the calamari from the milk and shake off excess.
Add the beaten egg to a shallow bowl. Using a slotted spoon, and working in batches, transfer the calamari to the beaten egg.
Then add them to the the cracker meal and toss to coat. Use a fork or tongs to transfer into the hot oil.
Fry until golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Season with a sprinkle of salt and a squeeze of lemon and some cocktail sauce. Serve immediately.
NOTES: Soak it in milk. Fry it quick. How To Make Fried Calamari
If you’re looking for a quick and easy crash course on how to cook calamari rings, here are the basic steps.
First, if your squid rings are frozen, be sure to thaw them out overnight by placing them in a bowl of cold milk in the refrigerator. Once they are thawed and ready to use, rinse them and dry them carefully. Season the squid rings however you choose.
Next, create an easy three-step breading for the squid rings. Coat each one in egg and then dip the rings into a bowl of cracker meal before frying.
To fry the rings, use a deep pan or a deep fryer with oil that has been heated to 375 degrees. Space the rings evenly, as you don’t want to overcrowd your pan. The rings should cook for only 1-2 minutes on each side and be crispy and brown when finished.
Serve as an appetizer or as a side dish, and don’t forget to squeeze some fresh lemon juice over the top of your piping hot fried squid to really enhance the flavors.
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