Calamari

Sadly our good friends moved last week but they did gave us a bunch of food which included frozen calamari!  Hopefully we will get to enjoy more fish when we move to Seattle!  Prepare yourselves for more seafood recipes!  I know I can't wait!  For this calamari I combined a recipe from allrecipes and the food network making what Nick says is the best fried calamari he's had.  Not that Nick is a food critic but it's nice that my husband thinks I'm the best. :)

INGREDIENTS

1-2 c vegetable oil
1/2 c milk
1 egg
1lb frozen calamari
1/2 c flour
1/4 c Panko crumbs
1/4 c corn starch
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tsp dried oregano
1 tsp paprika


DIRECTIONS

Defrost calamari in a cold water bath.  Heat oil in a large pot over medium-high heat.  Mix milk and egg in a medium bowl.  Drain off excess water from calamari and place in egg mixture.  Put bowl in fridge.  In another bowl mix together flour, Panko crumbs, corn starch, salt, pepper, oregano, and paprika.  Take calamari out of bowl letting excess milk and egg drip off and place in flour mixture.  Mix around until well coated.  Gently place breaded calamari in hot oil (be careful not to burn yourself).  Cook for 2-3 min and mix/turn over.  Cook until golden brown.  Remove from oil on to a paper towel lined plate.

DIPPING SAUCE

1/3 c mayonnaise
1/3 c sour cream
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp chili
1 1/2 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp parsley
pinch of salt

Mix all dipping sauce ingredients in a small bowl and chill until calamari is ready to serve.
–Melanie