272 – Fried Calamari Recipe / الكالاماري المقلي

Ingredients :

• 2 squids (clean and cut into rings)
• 2 cups of all purpose white flour
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 cups of milk
• Vegetable oil for frying
• Salt and pepper (to taste)

Directions :

Step 1: Cleaning the Squids
1- Ask your fish vendor to clean and cut the squid into rings. Otherwise, watch the video to see how to clean and cut the squid yourself.
Step 2: Marinating the Squid
1- Place the calamari rings in a large bowl and add milk to them. Soak the calamari rings in milk for at least 30 minutes, ideally a couple of hours. The milk will make the calamari rings very tender.
2- Another trick that people do in Morocco is soaking the calamaris in club soda (Oulmes). It has the same effect.
3- Cover the bowl and place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before frying the calamari.
Step 3: Frying the Calamari
1- In a bowl mix the flour, selt and pepper. If you want more flavors you can add garlic powder, dried herbs, etc.
2- Remove the calamari rings from the milk and put them in paper towel. Dry them by patting them with paper towel.
3- Roll the calamari rings in the flour mixture until completely covered. Shake the calamari rings a little to remove any excess flour.
4- Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying flat pan (the oil should cover the calamari rings).
5- The oil has to be hot before frying the calamari, test with one of the rings. The calamari rings hould sizzle, that’s when you know the oil is hot enough.
6- Reduce the temperature to medium heat and fry the clamari rings in batches. It will take 1-2 minutes to fry the calamari. They becomes golden brown. Do not overcook or the calamari rings become chewy like rubber!
7- Remove and place in a plate covered with towel paper to absorb any excess oil.
Serve immediately! Add salt and pepper if needed. Also add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice!

Bon Appetit!