Neelys Fried Calamari Recipes

NEELY'S CHUNKY CHOCOLATE DELIGHT

Steps:

• Line a 13 by 9-inch pan with foil, leaving 2 "handles" extended from the sides.
• Add the chocolate to a glass bowl set over simmering water. Stir constantly to melt the chocolate. Add the heavy cream, corn syrup, butter, salt, and cayenne. Stir until smooth and remove from the heat.
• Add the cherries and pistachios and stir to incorporate. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan and smooth out the mixture evenly with a rubber spatula. Sprinkle with the edible gold leaf on top. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour to firm up.
• Once the chocolate is firm, remove it from the pan, using the foil handles to lift it. Remove the foil from the bottom and cut the chocolate into chunks on a plastic cutting board with a sharp knife.
• Sprinkle with more edible gold leaf for garnish and package in metallic take-out boxes for guests to take home.

FRIED CALAMARI

Steps:

• Check calamari for breaks and slice into 1/8- to 1/4-inch rings.
• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
• Place 2 cups flour in a bowl. Whisk milk and eggs together in a separate bowl. Place remaining 4 cups flour, cornstarch, paprika, salt, pepper, and cayenne in a third bowl; mix thoroughly.
• Toss calamari rings in the plain flour. Move to the egg mixture and thoroughly coat. Move to the seasoned flour and coat fully. Move back to egg mixture if not thoroughly coated; coat with seasoned flour again.
• Submerge floured calamari in the hot oil until golden, 3 to 4 minutes per batch. Lift out with a slotted spoon, letting oil drip off. Drain on paper towels. Place calamari in a small bowl; check seasoning. Add parsley and lemon wedge for garnish.

NEELY'S FISH AND CHIPS

Steps:

• Tartar Sauce:.
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons hot pepper relish
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• Dash hot sauce
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Combine all the ingredients in a serving bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and let the flavors develop in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour before serving.
• Preheat a deep-fryer with oil to 375 degrees F.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil over medium heat and add some salt. In small batches, add the cut potatoes and cook for 4 minutes, until they are soft. Carefully remove them from the boiling water and shock in a bowl of icy cold water. Drain and dry well with paper towels. Arrange the potatoes on a paper towel lined sheet tray and let air-dry. Repeat with each batch.
• In a large bowl, whisk together 1 cup of the flour, the cornstarch, garlic powder, cayenne, smoked paprika, baking powder, and salt and pepper, to taste. Add the beer and whisk until incorporated. The batter will be slightly lumpy.
• Add the remaining 1 cup of flour to a pie plate. In batches, dredge the fish fillets in the flour, then the beer batter. Let the excess batter drip off and gently lower into the fryer. Fry until golden brown and flip, roughly 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the oil and arrange on a serving platter.