Description
A delightful appetizer that combines crispy calamari with a zesty lemon and garlic flavor.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 lb (450 g) calamari rings
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon paprika (optional)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 3 garlic cloves, minced
- Zest of 1 lemon
- Juice of ½ lemon
- Fresh parsley, chopped, for garnish
- ½ cup mayonnaise (for aioli)
- 1 garlic clove, minced (for aioli)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice (for aioli)
- Salt and pepper (to taste, for aioli)
Instructions
- Start by preparing the creamy aioli, which will be served alongside your flavorful calamari. In a small mixing bowl, combine the mayonnaise, minced garlic, and lemon juice. Add a pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Mix thoroughly until well combined and the garlic is evenly distributed throughout the mayo. Once done, cover and refrigerate the aioli until you’re ready to serve it.
- Take a shallow dish and combine the all-purpose flour with salt, black pepper, and optional paprika for that extra layer of flavor. Stir to mix the dry ingredients thoroughly. Next, take your calamari rings and gently toss them into the flour mixture, ensuring each ring gets a light, even coating.
- Heat the olive oil and butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Allow it to warm up until it’s shimmering; this indicates that it’s hot enough for frying. Carefully place the calamari rings in the skillet, ensuring not to overcrowd them. Fry them for about 2–3 minutes per side until they reach a beautiful golden-brown color.
- Once your calamari is cooked to perfection, lower the heat and add the minced garlic to the skillet. Sauté for about 30 seconds, allowing the garlic to become fragrant without burning. Then, stir in the lemon zest and squeeze in the juice of half a lemon. Toss the calamari in this mixture, coating each ring well.
- Carefully plate the hot, flavorful calamari. Don’t forget to sprinkle freshly chopped parsley over the top for a burst of color and added flavor. Serve your delicious calamari immediately alongside that flavorful aioli for dipping.
Notes
Ensure the oil is adequately hot before adding calamari to prevent it from absorbing too much oil. For extra crunch, double coat the calamari by dipping it in egg wash before the flour mixture.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Appetizer
Nutrition
- Calories: Approximately 350 per serving
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Protein: 22 g