Calamari Doré Food

SPICY AND GREASY RHODE ISLAND CALAMARI

Steps:

• Working Ahead:
• The squid can be cleaned (if necessary) and cut in the morning, then covered and refrigerated. The fry mix can also be made early in the day.
• Cut squid bodies into 1/2″ rings and put in a colander set over a bowl; add whole tentacles. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use (up to 6 hours).
• Fry Mix:
• Combine cornstarch, flour, cornmeal, salt, and both peppers in a large bowl and whisk well. Refrigerate if not using within an hour or two to prevent humidity from changing the mixture.
• Line a baking sheet with paper towels. Heat 3" of oil in a 4-quart Dutch oven over medium heat (or in a deep fryer) until it registers 360° on a deep-fry thermometer.
• While oil is heating, pour buttermilk into a large bowl and drop squid into it. Stir with a Chinese wire-mesh skimmer to coat, then lift about half of squid pieces from buttermilk, allowing excess buttermilk to drip back into bowl, and drop pieces into the dry mix. Rinse and dry the wire skimmer. Toss pieces to coat evenly with the mix, then lift them out with skimmer, gently shake off excess fry mix, and transfer to a plate. Bread remaining squid. Rinse and dry skimmer.
• Heat a 10″-12″sauté pan over medium heat and add butter. Once it melts, add garlic and sauté until golden. Add drained cherry peppers and toss to combine. Turn heat down to low while you fry squid.
• When the oil is hot, carefully drop half the squid pieces into oil. If any of the pieces stick to the bottom of the pot, loosen with tongs. Turn squid occasionally to cook evenly; it will only take about 1 1/2 minutes until they are crisp and golden.
• Fry remaining squid and drain.
• Add all of fried squid to the hot pan with the garlic and sliced peppers, sprinkle with chopped parsley, and quickly and gently toss (only twice). Divide among 4 small plates and serve immediately.

FRIED CALAMARI

Steps:

• Pour enough oil into a heavy large saucepan to reach the depth of 3 inches. Heat over medium heat to 350 degrees F. Mix the flour, parsley, salt, and pepper in a large bowl. Working in small batches, toss the squid into the flour mixture to coat. Carefully add the squid to the oil and fry until crisp and very pale golden, about 1 minute per batch. Using tongs or a slotted spoon, transfer the fried calamari to a paper-towel lined plate to drain.
• Place the fried calamari and lemon wedges on a clean plate. Sprinkle with salt. Serve with the marinara sauce.
• In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
• Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
• If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

CALAMARI DORé RECIPE

Steps:

• Grate two tablespoons of lemon zest and place it in a bowl. Mix in the flour, parsley, salt & pepper. Prepare an egg batter in aseparate mixing bowl by beating eggs with 2 tablespoons of water. Dip squid in the flour mixture, then into egg, back into the flour and into the egg once more. In a non-stick skillet set over a high heat, add the olive oil and butter. When it's hot, add 3 or 4 filets at a time. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes on each side, no more. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the filets and serve.

SOLE DORE SEAFOOD DISH

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Rinse the sole fillets and pat dry with paper towels. Season the fillets on both sides with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste.
• Beat the eggs and set aside.
• Put the flour in a separate, shallow dish or bowl, and place next to the bowl with the beaten eggs.
• Dredge the fish fillets, one at a time, in the flour to coat both sides, and then transfer into the dish of eggs.
• Turn the sole fillets in the egg to coat both sides, and leave in the egg.
• Take care handling the fillets, as they'll fall apart easily if they become too soggy.
• Once all the sole fillets are floured and transferred into the dish of eggs, place in the refrigerator until needed.
• In a large nonstick skillet, melt the butter over medium to low heat, until it begins to sizzle slightly.
• Lift the sole fillets out of the egg mixture, allowing the excess to drip off, and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden brown. Cook in batches if necessary, and keep warm in a very low oven.
• When all the sole fillets are cooked, turn off the heat, and add the capers, lemon juice , parsley, and cold butter to the pan. This will be your lemon caper sauce.
• Whisk the ingredients briskly until the butter melts. Taste for salt and pepper, and adjust.
• Place the sole on four warm plates, and spoon over the lemon caper sauce.
• Serve with lemon wedges and garnish with parsley.
• Enjoy.

CALAMARI

Steps:

• Preheat oil in a heavy, deep frying pan or pot. Oil should be heated to 365 degrees F (180 degrees C).
• In a medium size mixing bowl mix together flour, salt, oregano and black pepper. Dredge squid through flour and spice mixture.
• Place squid in oil for 2 to 3 minutes or until light brown. Beware of overcooking, squid will be tough if overcooked. Dry squid on paper towels. Serve with wedges of lemon.