Calamari For A King Food

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.

KUNG PAO CALAMARI

Steps:

• For the kung pao sauce: Mix the plum sauce, 1/2 cup water, rice wine vinegar, chili garlic sauce, sesame oil, both sesame seeds and the cilantro in a large bowl and set aside.
• For the flour dredge: In a separate large bowl, combine the corn flour, baking powder, and some salt and pepper.
• For the calamari: Prepare a deep-fryer to 350 degrees F. Drop the drained but still wet calamari into the flour dredge and work it well to ensure an even coating. Do not let it get clumpy. From the dredge carefully drop the flour coated rings into the hot oil. Fry the rings for 1 minute, and add the hot pepper rings to the oil. Let fry until the calamari is golden brown, about 30 seconds longer. Drain the calamari and peppers well.
• To plate, drizzle 3 to 4 ounces of the kung pao sauce over each 8 ounce serving of calamari and hot peppers. Sprinkle the dry roasted peanuts and scallions over each dish. Garnish with lemon wedges if desired and serve.

CRISPY FRIED CALAMARI RECIPE (KALAMARAKIA TIGANITA)

Steps:

• To prepare this super easy fried calamari recipe, clean the calamari and wash thoroughly. Using a sharp knife cut the calamari in slices, approx. 1 cm each. This will create the rings, as seen in the picture below. Place the calamari rings on some paper towel to get ride of the excessive water.
• Prepare the seasoning for the fried calamari. In a blender add the seasoning and pulse until powdered. (Alternatively you can use a pestle.)
• In a large sandwich bag or tupperware add the flour and seasoning. Place in the sliced calamari and shake well to coat (you will need to do this in batches). Remove the calamari onto a plate, shaking of any excess flour.
• Into a medium sized frying pan pour enough vegetable oil to deep fry the calamari. Heat the oil to medium high heat until it begins to bubble. Test if the oil is hot enough by dipping one of the calamari rings in; if it sizzles the oil is ready. Fry the calamari in batches for about 2-3 minutes, until nicely golden.
• Remove the fried calamari using a slotted spoon and place on some paper towel to dry for 1-2 minutes. Have a taste and sprinkle with some more salt.
• Enjoy this delicious Greek fried calamari recipe with a last minute squeeze of a lemon.

VEGAN CALAMARI

Steps:

• Slice mushroom stems width-wise into 1/8-inch and 1/4-inch rounds. Reserve the mushroom tops for another use.
• Depending on the thickness of your oyster mushroom stems, use a 1/2-inch round cookie cutter or the round end of a metal piping tip to punch holes into the center of each mushroom round. You'll also batter and fry up the inside circles you punch out.
• You can deep fry in a large flat-bottomed pot or a deep fryer. After doing the deep fryer method in the video above, I actually recommend doing this with a pot with a thermometer attached. This way you have more control over separating the mushroom pieces. I found they sank, and stuck to the bottom of the fry basket! If using the pot ensure you add enough vegetable oil so you have at least 2-inches of oil on the bottom. Ensure oil is heated to 350°F before frying the mushrooms.
• To make the batter, in a medium bowl whisk together all-purpose flour, cornstarch, cayenne pepper, smoked paprika, garlic powder, sea salt, and ground pepper until well combined. Slowly add the club soda while whisking until you get a pancake-like batter. You might not use the entire 1 cup of club soda to achieve this consistency. It should stick well to the mushroom pieces and not drip off too much.
• Working in batches, add half the mushroom pieces to the batter and toss to evenly coat with your hands. Tap off the excess and gently add a couple pieces at a time to the frying oil.
• Use a wooden spoon or chopstick to separate the mushroom pieces, while frying so they don't stick together.
• Once the pieces float to the surface in about 2 minutes, flip and fry the other side for about 2 more minutes. It should take about 4 to 5 minutes total to reach a nice golden brown color.
• Remove the fried mushrooms with a slotted spoon onto a paper towel lined baking sheet or large platter. Repeat until all remaining mushroom pieces are fried.
• Squeeze some lemon juice over the vegan calamari just before serving and use the tartar sauce from the hot for food cookbook for dipping or use a pre-made vegan tartar sauce. Regular shrimp cocktail sauce is also vegan friendly, or you can whip up your own by combining ketchup and horseradish. That's all it is anyway! You could add a bit of garlic and/or lemon juice if you really want!

CALAMARI

Steps:

• Cut the squid into rings or strips and separate the tentacles. Place in a bowl with the milk and garlic for a couple of hours.
• Mix all the dry elements of the batter together in a bowl. When ready to cook, take a suitable pan and fill it 1/3 with oil. Heat but do not let the oil smoke. If you have a thermometer heat to 200 degrees C. If you do not have a thermometer place a small cube of white bread in the pan. If it browns in 5 to 10 seconds the oil is at the correct temperature.
• When ready, mix the icy lemonade with the egg and then into the dry batter ingredients. It should resemble melted ice cream.
• Dust each piece of the squid in flour, then into the batter, shaking off the excess. Carefully drop into the oil and cook for approx 2 minutes until golden. Cook as much as you can cope with at a time, but do not overfill the pan. When golden remove onto kitchen towel to drain.
• Serve with lemon, salt and pepper.

FRIED CALAMARI (CALAMARI FRITTI)

Steps:

• Season to taste with salt and serve immediately with lemon wedges. Enjoy.

FRIED CALAMARI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200f. Place the calamari into a bowl and cover with water. Stir in the baking soda and kosher salt and set aside for 15 minutes.
• While the calamari is soaking heat vegetable oil to 370f in a cast iron or heavy gauge frying pan.
• After 15 minutes remove the calamari and pat dry.
• Place calamari into the flour mixture and shake off excess. Gently place the floured calamari into the hot oil and fry for 3-4 minutes or until golden. Work in batches and do not crowd the pan.
• Remove the fried calamari with a slotted spoon and place onto a wire rack. Sprinkle with salt immediately. Place the fried calamari into the oven to keep warm.
• Remove any bits of flour from the oil and once it again reaches 370f fry the next batch. Repeat the process until finished. Serve with marinara, lemon wedges, and/or cherry peppers. Enjoy.