Crisp, golden, and irresistibly tender, this Crispy Fried Calamari with Garlic Aioli captures the essence of a summer afternoon by the sea. In the Monterey Bay, squid season peaks in midsummer, when local markets overflow with fresh catch ready for the pan. Lightly coated in seasoned flour and fried to perfection, each bite is delicately crunchy on the outside and meltingly tender within. Served with a bright garlic aioli and a squeeze of lemon, this simple classic makes the perfect seaside appetizer or sharing plate with friends and chilled white wine.
INGREDIENTS:
1 lb. fresh squid, cleaned and cut into 1/2 inch rings**
2 tablespoons cornstarch
4 tablespoons flour or semolina
2 teaspoons Old Bay seasoning
2 cups peanut oil (or as needed, depending on the size of the pot)
Quick Garlic Aioli, recipe follows*
Lemon wedges, if desired
METHOD:
In a deep, heavy-bottomed saucepan or small Dutch oven, heat peanut oil over medium-high heat until it reaches 360°F (or until a cube of bread sizzles and browns in about 30 seconds).
In a large zip-top bag, combine cornstarch, flour (or semolina), and Old Bay seasoning. Add the squid rings and tentacles, seal the bag, and shake gently to coat evenly.
Working in small batches to avoid crowding, carefully lower the coated squid into the hot oil using tongs or a slotted spoon. Fry for 1½–2 minutes, until light golden and crisp.
Remove with a slotted spoon and transfer to a paper towel–lined plate to drain. While hot, sprinkle lightly with salt.
In a small bowl, stir together minced garlic and mayonnaise until smooth (see below). Chill until ready to serve.
Arrange the calamari on a warm platter with lemon wedges and a side of garlic aioli or cocktail sauce for dipping. Enjoy immediately while crisp.
Quick Garlic Aioli
1 clove garlic, peeled and very finely minced
8 tablespoons best-quality mayonnaise
Mince the garlic into the mayonnaise to serve alongside the fried squid.
* If you’d prefer to make your own aioli from scratch, here’s our favorite Garlic Aioli recipe.
**For instructions about how to clean squid, watch this video.
YIELD: Serves 4 as an appetizer
