Cayenne Spiced Fried Squid Recipes

FLASH FRIED SQUID

Steps:

• Prepare gremolata: In a small bowl, combine the parsley, horseradish, and lemon zest; set aside.
• In a medium bowl, combine the flour, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne; set aside.
• To cook the squid, heat 2 inches of oil to 375 degrees in a straight-sided pot. Be sure not to fill your pot more than halfway up the side with oil, because it will foam during frying.
• Pat the squid dry, and toss in the seasoned flour mixture to coat. Let stand 1 minute. Shake the floured squid in a sieve to remove any excess flour. Fry in batches, without crowding, until golden brown, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Drain the squid on paper towels. (Frying a batch of squid will bring the temperature of the oil down. Be sure to reheat the oil in between batches and check the temperature again with a deep-fry thermometer before adding more squid.)
• Season squid with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the gremolata over squid. Serve immediately with aioli and lemon wedges.

FIVE-SPICE CRISP-FRIED SQUID

Steps:

• Rinse squid well in cold water, then drain well and pat dry with kitchen towels.
• Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil in a wok or cast-iron pan. Adjust heat to maintain 375 degrees.
• In a medium bowl, stir together cornstarch, cayenne, salt, black pepper and five-spice powder. Set bowl near stove.
• Dip squid pieces into cornstarch mixture, one by one, and immediately slip carefully into hot oil. Let fry, making sure not to crowd the pan. (Use 2 pans or work in batches if necessary.) Turn pieces with tongs to ensure even cooking. When squid is lightly browned, after about 2 minutes, remove pieces and blot on paper towels.
• Transfer squid to a serving bowl and sprinkle with chiles. Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.

FRENCH-FRIED SQUID

Steps:

• Cut the squid bodies into very thin rounds, about 1/8 inch thick. Slice the tentacles into bite-size pieces.
• Put all of the pieces into a mixing bowl. Pour in the buttermilk and blend well
• Put the flour into 2 large flat baking dishes; add an equal amount of pepper to each and blend well.
• Drain the squid and distribute the pieces evenly in the two baking dishes. Mix well, shaking off any excess flour.
• Heat the oil to 360 degrees in a deep fryer. Drop the squid pieces into the oil, a few at a time, without crowding them. Fry and stir until crisp and lightly golden, about 1 minute for each batch. Remove the squid pieces and drain on paper towels. Keep warm. Continue cooking in batches until all the pieces are done.
• Serve the squid with a sprinkling of salt, lemon wedges and the mayonnaise.