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I know you like fried calamari. I flat out know you do. You can pretend like you don't all you want, but I know deep inside you like it. You can even put that pained and squeamish look on your face and then try to tell me that squid is just not your "cup of tea" (so to speak). But I know you'd just be saying that just to get me all riled up.
That's because you like fried calamari. I flat out know you do.
Armed with that knowledge I feel it's quite alright to play against your expectations with this dish. Maybe even break a few rules. Maybe even include a spicy chipotle citrus dipping sauce with your calamari when you aren't looking. Scandalous!
I know what you're thinking. It's just not done... and it's true I'd be the first one to join the argument that says fried calamari is best hot, salty and simply adorned with lots of lemon. It's a winning argument. There is a whole lot of truth in it. But you hear that squelch? That's me bending the truth once again!
Because I am here to say that (sometimes), it's quite alright to go against even the plainest of truths. That's just what I have in mind. So get ready to have your culinary foundation rocked. Because truths, they are 'a tumblin' down.
Now close your mouth and quit staring at me. My calamari is indeed served hot and simply adorned with salt and tons of lemon. Because that really is simply the best way to enjoy calamari. And though I may be bending some cherished truths... I am not committing hara-kiri!
Still, that doesn't mean I can't have a dipping sauce now does it? I know you like dipping sauces. I flat out know you do. And who says that a dipping sauce can't kick you in the teeth a little.
Well that's exactly what this dipping sauce does. It kicks. Because its got the big, smoky flavor of chipotle with just a hint of citrus sweet.
So come on lighten up. If I can do it anyone can...
Fried Calamari with Chipotle Citrus Sauce serves 4 CLICK here for a printable recipe
- 2 clv garlic peeled and chopped
- 1 chipotle pepper with some of its canned adobo sauce (to taste)
- 1 lemon, juiced
- 1 orange, juiced
- 1 lime, juiced
- 1 T red onion, minced
- 1/2 t mustard seeds, lightly crushed
- 1/2 c vegetable oil
- 1 lb fresh calamari tubes and tentacles, cleaned, rinsed and sliced
- 1 c buttermilk
- 1 1/2 c all-purpose flour
- 1 t parsley leaves, finely minced
- 1 t coarse salt, plus more for seasonong
- 1 t freshly ground black pepper
- 1/4 t cayenne, or more to taste
- oil for frying
- lemon wedges
Add the garlic, chipotle, citrus juices, red onion, mustard seeds to a blender or mini-food processor. With the machine running gradually drizzle in the oil until the desired creamy texture is achieved. You may not need all the oil. Gradually whisk in oil until blended. Set aside until ready to serve.
Soak the calamari in the buttermilk for at least one hour. Combine the flour with the parsley, salt, pepper and cayenne in a medium bowl. Remove the calamari from the buttermilk and shake off a bit of the excess. Dredge the calamari in the flour mixture, keeping all the pieces separate. Shake off the excess flour.
Pour oil to a depth of about 2 inches in a deep pan. Heat to 365. Fry calamari, in batches, for about 1 minute or until done, turning after 30 seconds. Make sure to not crowd the pan. Drain on paper towels, season with salt and a big spritz of lemon. Serve with additional fresh squeezed lemon, and some of the Chipotle sauce on the side.
SERIOUS FUN FOOD
Greg Henry
SippitySup
Comments
Old post still good
I don't know how I landed here, but it dawns on me that the calamari was soaked in buttermilk. This has to make it spectacular. I'm about to do my first calamari soon.
hungry
I love calamari esp with a bottle of ice cold beer. The dipping sauce sounds wonderful. I might try it soon, thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe
My favorite guilty pleasure
Nice to see my favorite guilty pleasure with a kick! I may have to order from you cuz I'm too nervous to make it myself :)
Innnnteresting sauce! We both
Innnnteresting sauce! We both LURVE calamari! Just had it this weekend, but we were lazy and just did a creamy marinara sauce. Yours is much more creative.
We love it
We do, and your cooking is making me hungry and jealous. I'm not putting out this kind of food and I need to step it up. I'm talking about all your last several posts. I'm jealous I'm not Ken getting fed this food, which is gorgeous, healthy and freaking REAL. (and with elegance which you and I both love). You are a marvel. xoxo
Don't make me cry... GREG
Don't make me cry... GREG
I confess...I love Calamari
Great post. I love calamari and now I know how to make it!
Time for some of this!
Seems like Calamari is something almost everyone I know will order when we go out to eat, including me...this extra kick would rock it even more!
You know me.
You know me. You do. And I agree with you on all counts. I like my fried sea creatures with a touch of spice, maybe more than a touch, and lots of lemon. This looks insanely good. And the chipotle sauce...daring. Smart.
And thanks for the support, by the way. That guy was a dickweed, but he popped my troll cherry, so that's. . . good, I guess.
You have a great blog here. The writing is crisp and clear and the recipes are pristine. Seriously top notch content. But you knew that.
I love calamari. I devoured
I love calamari. I devoured some at La Palazzo after the bake sale. So glad you were able to come out and support!
great idea
this looks fantastic, and love the chipotle sauce recipe!
Love it!
What's not to love about fried calamari... and paired with this fabulous sauce? Yum, even more so!
oooooooh goodness. i
oooooooh goodness. i absolutely love calimari and i can't imagine how absolutely delicious this would be. i'm drooling already.
I could eat this till I'm as big as a house!
Greg - You have seriously outdone yourself!
That looks like it walked out of Batali's kitchen, orange crocs & all!
Fanastic!! I want some now...
Ciao, Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
Calamari...isn't that Kentucky's basketball coach?
While I'm not a big seafood fan unless I am within 10 miles of the ocean, I do enjoy calamari. Chipolte dipping sauce? Oh yeah, that's right up my alley. You nailed this one, Greg (even if you are a grill-less heathen ;) )
Ooh la la
Love deep-fried calamari with the chipotle sauce too! (YUM!)
oh wow love this sauce
oh wow love this sauce
I am proud to admit that I am
I am proud to admit that I am one of those calamari lovers, but I have yet to try and make it for myself. I do like the chipotle kick to it. Dang, this is another one I need to add to my list.
I'm not too proud...
I am not too proud to admit my love of fried Calamari! And I dig your dipping sauce. I wish I had it all sitting in front of me right now.
I've also tossed in the lemon slices to be fried and they were really tasty!
:)
I'm all about the dipping
I'm all about the dipping sauce! So I say yea!
I admit it
I do love calamari in all kinds of ways, and when it's fried it can't be beat. I'm a big chipotle fan too, so this looks divine!
No, YOU'RE a genius!
Oh, man, calamari tempura with chipotle. This is serious genius. I reallyreally love calamari, as long as they're not cooked to the rubber band stage...
YUM.
Mmm...
Of course I like fried calamari. I always like it cooked in curry...mmm. Love your sauce to go with it....mmm....delicious
Nom nom nom... I've been on a
Nom nom nom... I've been on a fried foods kick the past couple days managing to wring out a batch of schnitzel and fried chicken out of the same pot of oil. After seeing this, I'm wondering if I can get one more fried dish out of the oil before I toss it.
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