Crispy Fried Calamari Recipe Kalamarakia Tiganita

CRISPY FRIED CALAMARI RECIPE

Steps:

• Slice the calamari tubes into ¾-inch thick rings.
• In a medium bowl, stir 1 teaspoon Diamond Crystal kosher salt in ½ cup milk.
• Add the calamari rings to the milk mixture and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cornstarch, baking powder, oregano, black pepper, and cayenne (make sure the mixture is well combined).
• Prepare a large colander and set it on top of a large bowl. Using a pair of tongs, take a portion of the calamari rings (about ½ of them) shake off excess milk and toss the calamari in the flour mixture. Toss the calamari to coat evenly. Put the coated calamari in the colander. Repeat with the rest of the calamari.
• Turn your oven on a low 150 degrees F. Prepare a large sheet pan and set a wire rack on top. Top the wire rack with paper towel.
• Heat 4 inches of grape seed oil in a small cooking pot (I used a 2.5 quart pot) to somewhere between 350 and 365 degrees F. To test your oil, drop one calamari ring, many bubbles will form around it and the calamari will begin to float.
• Once your oil is ready, using a pair of tongs, gently add some of the calamari in and fry for about 3 minutes or until golden brown. Remove the calamari from the oil and arrange it on the paper towel on top of your prepared wire rack. Immediately season with kosher salt, then transfer to your warm oven to keep warm while you work on the rest. Repeat until you have fried all the calamari.
• Transfer the fried calamari to a serving plate and finish with a squeeze of lemon juice!

CRISPY FRIED CALAMARI RECIPE (KALAMARAKIA TIGANITA)

Steps:

• To prepare this super easy fried calamari recipe, clean the calamari and wash thoroughly. Using a sharp knife cut the calamari in slices, approx. 1 cm each. This will create the rings, as seen in the picture below. Place the calamari rings on some paper towel to get ride of the excessive water.
• Prepare the seasoning for the fried calamari. In a blender add the seasoning and pulse until powdered. (Alternatively you can use a pestle.)
• In a large sandwich bag or tupperware add the flour and seasoning. Place in the sliced calamari and shake well to coat (you will need to do this in batches). Remove the calamari onto a plate, shaking of any excess flour.
• Into a medium sized frying pan pour enough vegetable oil to deep fry the calamari. Heat the oil to medium high heat until it begins to bubble. Test if the oil is hot enough by dipping one of the calamari rings in; if it sizzles the oil is ready. Fry the calamari in batches for about 2-3 minutes, until nicely golden.
• Remove the fried calamari using a slotted spoon and place on some paper towel to dry for 1-2 minutes. Have a taste and sprinkle with some more salt.
• Enjoy this delicious Greek fried calamari recipe with a last minute squeeze of a lemon.

KALAMARAKIA TIGANITA (FRIED SQUID)

Steps:

• Prepare the squid, rinse them, and drain in a colander for 1 hour.
• Deep-fry them as long as the oil is not too hot (about 350 degrees F/ 180 degrees C is the right temperature).
• Put the flour with salt in a plate, mix well and add half of the pieces of squid, but leave the tentacles for the end.
• Turn them in the flour, then lift a few pieces up at a time, shake excess flour off and drop them in the hot oil.
• When they turn a nice golden color lift them out with a slotted spoon.
• At the end sprinkle the lemon juice all over, some oregano, and serve immediately.
• These squid should always be fried just before they are to be eaten and should not be re-fried or re-heated!