Crispy Fried Calamari… a delightful seafood dish known for its golden, crispy exterior and tender inside. It’s prepared with a light coating that gives it a wonderful crunch, and served with a garlic mayonnaise sauce as a delicious side.
Ingredients
– Coating Ingredients:
- Calamari: 1 pound (squid)
- Cornstarch: ⅔ cup
- All-purpose flour: ⅓ cup
- Baking powder: ½ teaspoon
- Salt: ½ teaspoon
- White pepper: ¼ teaspoon (ground)
- Cold water: ⅔ cup
– For Frying and Seasoning:
- Vegetable oil: As needed
- Salt: A pinch
- White pepper: To taste
– Garlic Sauce:
- Mayonnaise: ½ cup
- Garlic: ½ teaspoon (finely grated)
Instructions
- Cut the calamari into bite-sized pieces and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels to minimize moisture during frying.
- To prepare the sauce: Mix the mayonnaise with the grated garlic and set aside for 20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- In a bowl, combine the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, salt, and white pepper. Gradually add the cold water, whisking until you achieve a smooth coating batter.
- Refrigerate the coating batter for 30 minutes for optimal crispiness.
- Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat until hot. Then, dip the calamari pieces into the coating batter.
- Fry the calamari in batches for 2-3 minutes until lightly golden, then transfer to paper towels to drain.
- Slightly increase the oil temperature, then re-fry the calamari for about 1.5 minutes until very crispy.
- Season the calamari with a pinch of salt and white pepper, and serve hot with the garlic sauce.
