Battered Squid Recipes

CRISPY FRIED CALAMARI RECIPE

Steps:

• Slice the calamari tubes into ¾-inch thick rings.
• In a medium bowl, stir 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt in ½ cup milk.
• Add the calamari rings to the milk mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne (make sure the mixture is well combined).
• Prepare a large colander and set it on top of a large bowl. Using a pair of tongs, take a portion of the calamari rings (about ½ of them) shake off excess milk and toss the calamari in the flour mixture. Toss the calamari to coat evenly. Put the coated calamari in the colander. Repeat with the rest of the calamari.
• Turn your oven on a low 150 degrees F. Prepare a large sheet pan and set a wire rack on top. Top the wire rack with paper towel.
• Heat 4 inches of grape seed oil in a small cooking pot (I used a 2.5 quart pot) to somewhere between 350 and 365 degrees F. To test your oil, drop one calamari ring, many bubbles will form around it and the calamari will begin to float.
• Once your oil is ready, using a pair of tongs, gently add some of the calamari in and fry for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the calamari from the oil and arrange it on the paper towel on top of your prepared wire rack. Immediately season with kosher salt, then transfer to your warm oven to keep warm while you work on the rest. Repeat until you have fried all the calamari.
• Transfer the fried calamari to a serving plate and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice!

BATTERED SQUID

Steps:

• Combine salt, pepper, garlic, fish sauce, wine, eggs, pepper sauce and paprika in blender and blend 30 seconds.
• Pour mixture into a large bowl and stir in flour just until combined.
• Do not overmix.
• Add calamari.
• Cover with plastic warp and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Just before cooking, stir cornstarch into calamari mixture.
• (important for crispness) Heat oil in large deep saucepan to 375°F (pinch of flour dropped into oil bubbles).
• Drop small batch of calamari into hot oil.
• Do not crowd the pan.
• Cook in batches until calamari rings are golden brown and crispy (about 2 minutes).
• Remove and drain on paper towels.
• To serve; fill each lettuce leaf with 1 cup calamari and serve with Curry Mayo.

BEER-BATTERED CALAMARI WITH GARLIC-LEMON MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Thoroughly rinse squid; pat dry. Cut into 1/4-inch rings; place in medium bowl. Add 2 chopped garlic cloves, the lime juice, 1/2 teaspoon salt and black pepper to taste; stir to coat. Cover; refrigerate at least 30 minutes to marinate.
• Meanwhile, in deep bowl, mix 1 cup of the flour, the olive oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, the red pepper and black pepper to taste. Slowly add beer, stirring gently until batter is smooth. Cover; refrigerate 30 minutes.
• In food processor, place mayonnaise, 1 garlic clove and the lemon juice. Cover; process until garlic is chopped and mixture is blended. Transfer to small bowl; season with salt and black pepper. Stir in basil. Cover; refrigerate until serving time.
• In deep fryer or heavy saucepan, heat 2 inches vegetable oil to 375°F. In shallow bowl, place remaining 1 cup flour. Dip squid rings in flour, shaking off excess, then coat completely with beer batter. Fry squid in batches in hot oil until deep golden brown, about 2 minutes. Drain on paper towels.
• Serve calamari hot with Garlic-Lemon Mayonnaise.

CRISPY CALAMARI RINGS

Steps:

• Preheat oil to 370 degrees F (185 degrees C) in a deep fryer, deep frying pan, or pot.
• Coat squid with garlic powder, onion powder, salt, oregano, basil, parsley, paprika, cayenne, and white pepper in a medium bowl. Mix thoroughly. Add flour and toss to dredge.
• Fry squid in the hot oil, in batches if needed, until light brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Do not overcook, or squid will be tough and chewy. Drain on paper towels. Serve with lemon wedges and marinara sauce.

BUTTERMILK-BATTERED CALAMARI

Steps:

• Heat oil in a saucepan or deep-fryer to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Pour buttermilk into a medium bowl. In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, pepper and oregano. Dip squid rings into the buttermilk, then into the seasoned flour.
• Place the coated pieces in the hot oil, and fry in small batches, turning if necessary, for even cooking. When evenly browned, remove to paper towels to drain, and continue with the rest of the squid. Serve hot.