Crispy Calamari with Marinara Sauce
Crispy Calamari with Marinara Sauce is a delightful starter or side dish that features tender squid rings coated in panko breadcrumbs and fried to golden perfection. Served with a rich, homemade marinara sauce made from tomatoes, shallots, garlic, and oregano, this dish is a perfect combination of crispiness and robust flavors. The slow-cooked marinara sauce can be made ahead, making this a convenient and impressive dish for any gathering.
In a nutshell.
Difficulty
Medium
Difficulty
Medium
Difficulty
Medium
Cuisine
Italian
Cuisine
Italian
Cuisine
Italian
Feeds
5
Feeds
5
Feeds
5
Meal Type
Appetizers
Meal Type
Appetizers
Meal Type
Appetizers
Ingredients
14
Ingredients
14
Ingredients
14
Prep Time
20
Prep Time
20
Prep Time
20
Cook Time
45
Cook Time
45
Cook Time
45
Rest Time
0
Rest Time
0
Rest Time
0
What you'll need.
Squid
2 • cut into rings
Squid
2 • cut into rings
Squid
2 • cut into rings
Egg
1
Egg
1
Egg
1
Tomatoes
2 tins
Tomatoes
2 tins
Tomatoes
2 tins
Panko Breadcrumbs
To coat
Panko Breadcrumbs
To coat
Panko Breadcrumbs
To coat
Garlic Cloves
Thinly sliced
Garlic Cloves
Thinly sliced
Garlic Cloves
Thinly sliced
Baking Soda
3 tsp
Baking Soda
3 tsp
Baking Soda
3 tsp
All Purpose Flour
1 tbsp
All Purpose Flour
1 tbsp
All Purpose Flour
1 tbsp
Shallots
2 • Finely diced
Shallots
2 • Finely diced
Shallots
2 • Finely diced
Vegetable Oil
For frying
Vegetable Oil
For frying
Vegetable Oil
For frying
Olive Oil
5 tbsp
Olive Oil
5 tbsp
Olive Oil
5 tbsp
Lemon Juice
A squeeze
Lemon Juice
A squeeze
Lemon Juice
A squeeze
Butter
Knob
Butter
Knob
Butter
Knob
Dried Oregano
1 tsp
Dried Oregano
1 tsp
Dried Oregano
1 tsp
Salt
Salt
Salt
Pepper
Pepper
Pepper
Kitchen gear.
Heavy Based Pan
1
Heavy Based Pan
1
Heavy Based Pan
1
Saute Pan
1
Saute Pan
1
Saute Pan
1
Chef's Knife
1
Chef's Knife
1
Chef's Knife
1
Cutting Board
1
Cutting Board
1
Cutting Board
1
Mixing Bowl
1
Mixing Bowl
1
Mixing Bowl
1
Potato Masher
1
Potato Masher
1
Potato Masher
1
Thermometer
1
Thermometer
1
Thermometer
1
Plate
1
Plate
1
Plate
1
How to make it.
1
Start by preparing the squid. Rinse and cut the squid into rings, cutting larger tentacles in half. Place into a bowl with the lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda, egg and salt. Mix well, then leave to tenderise for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
1
Start by preparing the squid. Rinse and cut the squid into rings, cutting larger tentacles in half. Place into a bowl with the lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda, egg and salt. Mix well, then leave to tenderise for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
1
Start by preparing the squid. Rinse and cut the squid into rings, cutting larger tentacles in half. Place into a bowl with the lemon juice, bicarbonate of soda, egg and salt. Mix well, then leave to tenderise for at least 1 hour in the fridge.
2
Meanwhile, prepare the tomato sauce. Add the olive oil into a saute pan, turn heat to medium high, add the onions and garlic and saute for 5-10 minutes until softened and about to brown.
2
Meanwhile, prepare the tomato sauce. Add the olive oil into a saute pan, turn heat to medium high, add the onions and garlic and saute for 5-10 minutes until softened and about to brown.
2
Meanwhile, prepare the tomato sauce. Add the olive oil into a saute pan, turn heat to medium high, add the onions and garlic and saute for 5-10 minutes until softened and about to brown.
3
Add the oregano to the pan, cook for a few more minutes, then add the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then cover and cook for 20 minutes over a medium heat.
3
Add the oregano to the pan, cook for a few more minutes, then add the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then cover and cook for 20 minutes over a medium heat.
3
Add the oregano to the pan, cook for a few more minutes, then add the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper to taste, then cover and cook for 20 minutes over a medium heat.
4
After 20 minutes, break any remaining tomatoes with a potato masher or fork, then leave uncovered to thicken for another 10 minutes until you have a thick marinara sauce. Optionally, stir in a knob of cold butter to make it glossy and rich.
4
After 20 minutes, break any remaining tomatoes with a potato masher or fork, then leave uncovered to thicken for another 10 minutes until you have a thick marinara sauce. Optionally, stir in a knob of cold butter to make it glossy and rich.
4
After 20 minutes, break any remaining tomatoes with a potato masher or fork, then leave uncovered to thicken for another 10 minutes until you have a thick marinara sauce. Optionally, stir in a knob of cold butter to make it glossy and rich.
5
Heat the vegetable oil to 180 C / 355 F in a heavy based pan.
5
Heat the vegetable oil to 180 C / 355 F in a heavy based pan.
5
Heat the vegetable oil to 180 C / 355 F in a heavy based pan.
6
Remove the squid from the fridge, add the flour and mix well.
6
Remove the squid from the fridge, add the flour and mix well.
6
Remove the squid from the fridge, add the flour and mix well.
7
Add the panko breadcrumbs to another dish and coat the squid, in batches. If you want an extra crisp outer layer, beat up 1 more egg in a separate bowl, coat the breaded squid in egg then re-coat with panko for a second time.
7
Add the panko breadcrumbs to another dish and coat the squid, in batches. If you want an extra crisp outer layer, beat up 1 more egg in a separate bowl, coat the breaded squid in egg then re-coat with panko for a second time.
7
Add the panko breadcrumbs to another dish and coat the squid, in batches. If you want an extra crisp outer layer, beat up 1 more egg in a separate bowl, coat the breaded squid in egg then re-coat with panko for a second time.
8
Fry the squid in the oil for 5-7 minutes until crisp and golden. Season with salt and serve with the marinara sauce whilst hot. Enjoy!
8
Fry the squid in the oil for 5-7 minutes until crisp and golden. Season with salt and serve with the marinara sauce whilst hot. Enjoy!
8
Fry the squid in the oil for 5-7 minutes until crisp and golden. Season with salt and serve with the marinara sauce whilst hot. Enjoy!
Macro bites.
Calories
250 kCal
Calories
250 kCal
Calories
250 kCal
Carbs
20 g
Carbs
20 g
Carbs
20 g
Fat
25 g
Fat
25 g
Fat
25 g
Protein
15 g
Protein
15 g
Protein
15 g
Safety first.
Wash Your Hands
Wash Your Hands
Wash Your Hands
Food Safety
Food Safety
Food Safety
Proper Cooking
Proper Cooking
Proper Cooking
Knife Safety
Knife Safety
Knife Safety
Hot Surfaces
Hot Surfaces
Hot Surfaces
Cleaning
Cleaning
Cleaning
Storage
Storage
Storage
The easiest peasiest lemon squeeziest way to cook at home.
In the time it took you to get this far, you could have finished cooking with Whatz2Eat. So what are you waiting for? Let’s get cooking.