Calamari And Saffron Rice Salad Recipes

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.

CALAMARI AND SAFFRON RICE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, bring 10 cups of water to a boil.
• Stir in 1 tblsp salt.
• Add the rice and cook uncovered over medium heat until al dente, about 15 minutes.
• Drain in a colander, rinse with cold water and drain again.
• Place the rice in a large serving bowl and toss with the saffron water.
• Stir in ¼ cup of the olive oil and the vinegar.
• In a large saucepan of boiling salted water, blanch the peas for 1 minutes.
• Drain in a colander, rinse with cold water and drain again.
• In a large nonreactive skillet, heat the remaining 2 tblsps olive oil over high heat until hot but not smoking.
• Add the squid and cook, stirring occasionally, just until opaque throughout, 2-3 minutes.
• Transfer the squid to a bowl with a slotted spoon.
• Add the wine and garlic to the skillet and boil until the liquid is reduced to ½ cup, about 3 minutes.
• Season with coarse sea salt and pepper and let cool.
• Add the squid and its liquid, the peas, tomatoes, basil and thyme to the rice and toss.
• Season with salt and pepper if desired.
• Let stand for at least 20 minutes before serving.
• This salad is best at room temperature.