Lately I have had such a craving for fried calamari that I went on a downtown mission to find fresh calamari. I looked through many fried calamari recipes and finally created my own recipe. I did not include a marinara sauce but have included a link to Emeril Lagasse's marinara sauce.
Ingredients:
1 pound (16 oz) fresh or frozen squid rings
2 eggs
1/2 cup buttermilk
1 cup flour (I use 100% whole wheat flour)
Vegetable oil for frying (I use refined canola oil)
salt and pepper for seasoning
lemon juice of 1 to 2 lemons
Beat the eggs and mix together with the buttermilk in a bowl. Add the salt and pepper. Soak the calamari in the buttermilk mixture for about 20 minutes. Fill a large pan no more than half way with oil and heat to 375* F. Put the flour in a bowl. Remove the calamari from the buttermilk mixture and toss in the flour and coat it completely. Carefully add the calamari in batches (do not overcrowd the pan) to the hot oil and fry until the coating is crisp and golden. Remove the calamari to paper towels to drain and season with more salt and pepper and squeeze some lemon juice over the calamari.
I love lots and lots of lemon juice!
Serve it with a fresh green salad and vegetables.
Enjoy!
All images taken by me
