Introduction
Calamari, or deep-fried squid, is a popular and delicious dish that is enjoyed worldwide, from street vendors to high-end restaurants. While it may seem intimidating to cook at home, it is surprisingly simple to make and customize to your liking. The purpose of this article is to provide readers with step-by-step guides and recipe ideas for cooking calamari at home.
Making Fried Calamari at Home
To make fried calamari, you’ll need squid, flour, cornmeal, salt, pepper, and oil for frying. The first step is to clean the squid by removing its head, tentacles, and cartilage. Next, slice the body into rings and place them in a bowl.
For the batter, mix flour, cornmeal, salt, and pepper in a separate bowl. Dredge the squid in the flour mixture until evenly coated. Heat the oil in a deep fryer or a heavy-bottomed pot, then fry the squid in small batches until golden brown and crispy.
For extra crispy texture, add a tablespoon of cornstarch to the flour mixture, or allow the dredged calamari to sit for 10 to 15 minutes before frying.
Serve the fried calamari hot with a squeeze of lemon juice and your favorite dipping sauce, such as marinara, aioli, or tartar sauce.
Grilled Calamari with Garlic and Lemon Sauce
To make grilled calamari, you’ll need squid, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Clean the squid and pat it dry with a paper towel. Rub the squid with olive oil, salt, and pepper, then grill it over high heat for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until charred and tender.
To make the garlic and lemon sauce, sauté minced garlic in a pan with olive oil until fragrant. Add lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste. Drizzle the sauce over the grilled calamari before serving.
You can also add additional seasoning, such as red pepper flakes or chopped fresh herbs, for extra flavor.
Pan-Seared Calamari with Chili and Lime
To make pan-seared calamari, you’ll need squid, chili flakes, garlic, lime zest, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat, then add minced garlic and chili flakes. Sauté for 30 seconds, then add calamari rings and a pinch of salt and pepper.
Cook the calamari for 1 to 2 minutes per side, until browned and tender. Remove from heat and toss with lime zest and juice.
Serve the pan-seared calamari with a side salad of mixed greens dressed with lime vinaigrette for a refreshing, citrusy finish.
Italian-Style Calamari Recipes
There are many ways to cook calamari in Italian cuisine, such as “alla piastra,” “ripiena,” and “al forno.” Here are two recipes to try:
Calamari alla Piastra
To make calamari alla piastra, you’ll need squid, olive oil, garlic, lemon zest, parsley, salt, and pepper. Clean the squid and slice the body into pieces, leaving the tentacles whole. Season the squid with salt and pepper.
Heat a griddle or a heavy-bottomed skillet over high heat. Add olive oil and garlic, then add the squid. Cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until lightly browned and cooked through.
Transfer the calamari to a serving plate and toss with lemon zest and parsley. Serve hot.
Calamari Ripieni
To make calamari ripieni, or stuffed calamari, you’ll need squid, breadcrumbs, garlic, parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Clean the squid and pat it dry. In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs, minced garlic, chopped parsley, salt, pepper, and olive oil. Stuff the mixture into the squid’s body, then seal the opening with a toothpick.
Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add stuffed squid and cook for 2 to 3 minutes on each side, until browned. Add lemon juice and a splash of white wine, then cover and simmer for 10 minutes. Serve hot.
Healthy Cooking Options for Calamari
While fried calamari is delicious, it can be high in calories and fat. Here are three healthy alternatives to try:
Baked Calamari Rings
To make baked calamari, you’ll need squid, flour, egg whites, breadcrumbs, salt, and pepper. Clean the squid and slice it into rings. Dredge the rings in flour, dip them in beaten egg whites, then coat them with breadcrumbs seasoned with salt and pepper.
Place the rings on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper and bake at 375°F for 12 to 15 minutes, until golden and crisp. Serve hot with lemon wedges.
Calamari Salad
To make calamari salad, you’ll need squid, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Clean the squid and pat it dry with a paper towel. Grill or pan-sear the squid, then slice it into rings.
In a salad bowl, mix mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, sliced cucumber, and sliced red onion. Add the calamari rings on top. Dress the salad with lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to taste.
Calamari Stir-Fry
To make calamari stir-fry, you’ll need squid, bell peppers, onion, garlic, ginger, soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and vegetable oil. Clean the squid and cut it into bite-size pieces. Slice the bell peppers and onion thinly.
Heat vegetable oil in a wok or a heavy-bottomed pan. Add minced garlic and ginger, then add calamari and stir-fry for 2 to 3 minutes. Add bell peppers and onion, then stir-fry for another 2 minutes. Mix soy sauce, oyster sauce, cornstarch, and water in a small bowl, then add it to the pan. Stir-fry until the sauce thickens and the vegetables are tender. Serve hot with rice.
Making Calamari Salad with Mixed Greens and Vinaigrette Dressing
To make calamari salad, you’ll need squid, mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, red onion, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Clean the squid and pat it dry with a paper towel. Grilled or pan-sear the squid, then slice it into rings.
In a salad bowl, mix mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, and sliced red onions. Add the calamari rings on top. In a small bowl, whisk lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Gradually add olive oil, whisking constantly, until the vinaigrette is emulsified.
Dress the salad with the vinaigrette and toss gently to coat. Serve immediately.
Conclusion
Cooking calamari at home is easier than you may think, and these step-by-step guides and recipe ideas offer ways to customize and experiment with this delicious seafood. Making calamari at home offers lower cost, quality ingredients, and an opportunity to impress family and friends with your culinary skills.
