Calamari Provencale Recipes

SHRIMP-STUFFED CALAMARI WITH POLENTA

Steps:

• Prepare the calamari: Rinse the bodies and set aside. Dice the tentacles and the shrimp into 1/4-to-1/2-inch pieces. Beat the egg in a large bowl. Add the diced calamari tentacles and shrimp, the breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, basil, lemon zest and juice, anchovies and garlic. Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste and mix until combined.
• Using your fingers, stuff each calamari body about two-thirds full with the shrimp-breadcrumb mixture and close with a toothpick. Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a wide pot over medium-high heat. Sear the calamari in batches until browned and opaque on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes, and transfer to a plate.
• Make the sauce: Lower the heat, add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pot and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes. Season with salt, then add the wine and scrape up any browned bits from the pot. Boil until the wine is almost evaporated, then crush the tomatoes into the pot with your hands and add the juices. Add 1 cup water, 3/4 teaspoon salt and the basil stalks. Arrange the calamari in a single layer in the pot. Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the calamari are tender, about 40 minutes. Uncover and cook until the sauce thickens, 10 to 15 more minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the polenta: Place 4 1/2 cups cold water in a separate pot over low heat. Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and the bay leaf. Whisk in the polenta in a slow, steady stream, then increase the heat to medium and bring to a boil, whisking frequently. Reduce the heat and cook at a bare simmer, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the polenta is thick and pulls away from the sides of the pot, about 25 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and cheese.
• Divide the polenta among shallow bowls. Discard the toothpicks and place the calamari on top of the polenta. Remove the basil stalks and spoon the sauce over the dish. Garnish with the chopped basil and more parmesan.

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.

CALAMARI PROVENCALE

Steps:

• Place squid in large nonaluminum bowl and cover with milk; let stand 3 hour; remove squid and discard milk.
• Add eggs to squid and toss to coat.
• Combine flour,1 1/2 teaspoons salt,and 1/2 teaspoon white pepper in medium bowl.
• Dip squid into flour mixture, coating completely, shaking off any excess.
• Arrange in single layer on baking sheet or tray.
• Pour oil into a large saucepan or deep fryer and heat to 375 degrees.
• Add squid in batches and deep fry until golden on all sides; drain well on paper towels.
• Melt 1/2 cup butter with parsley and 1/4 teaspoon garlic in large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Add fried squid and saute 3 to 4 minutes.
• Transfer to a heated platter and keep warm.
• Melt remaining butter in large skillet over high heat.
• Add tomatoes,onion,mushrooms,lemon juice, vermouth, garlic,thyme and seasonings and cook 3 minutes.
• Spoon sauce over squid and serve.

PASTA PROVENCALE

Steps:

• Saute first 5 ingredients in olive oil in a large skillet or Dutch oven over medium-high heat 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, basil, oregano, salt and pepper; stir well. Bring mixture to a boil; reduce heat, and simmer 1 minute. Remove from heat; transfer to a serving bowl. Add pasta and Parmesan cheese; toss gently. Serve hot.

CHEF NICK'S AMAZING CALAMARI

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). In a medium bowl, mix together the ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, sun-dried tomatoes, bread crumbs, oregano, salt and pepper until well blended. Set aside.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Trim the ends of the squid bodies to make them an even size, and rinse out the tubes. Spoon the cheese mixture into the cavities of the squid until full, and secure the open ends with toothpicks. Place in boiling water, and cook for 6 minutes.
• Remove the stuffed calamari tubes from the water, and place in a baking dish. Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic and sesame seeds. Place the calamari tubes in the skillet, and fry on all sides until golden brown. Remove toothpicks before serving.