Fried Calamari with Rouille, Cherry Peppers and Lemon

Category: Appetizers

Cuisine: not set

Ready in 1 hour
by cookw0e2h9

Ingredients

1 cup Mayonnaise

1 tablespoon Fresh lemon juice

2 teaspoons Hungarian Sweet Paprika

1 teaspoon Cayenne pepper - use much less!

1 clove Garlic

Calamari

1/4 cup Olive oil

1 tablespoon Dried crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 cup Pickled cherry peppers seeded and chopped

1 teaspoon Fresh lemon juice

Vegetable oil for frying

1 cup Yellow cornmeal

1 cup All purpose flour

2 teaspoons Salt

1 teaspoon Ground black pepper

2 pounds Fresh or thawed frozen Calamari bodies cleaned and cut into 1/2 inch wide rings, tentacles reserved

2 Lemons each cut into 6 wedges


Directions

For quick rouille: Stir all ingredients in small bowl until combined. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.) For calamari: Heat olive oil in heavy large skillet over medium high heat. Add crushed red pepper, stir 30 seconds. Add cherry peppers (mixture map splatter); stir 30 seconds. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 teaspoon lemon juice. Season with salt and pepper. Add enough vegetable oil to another large skillet to come 1-inch up the sides of pan. Heat oil to 375 degrees. Whisk cornmeal, flour, salt, and peppers in medium bowl to blend. Toss calamari rings and tentacles in flour mixture, shaking off excess. Working in batches, fry calamari in oil until brown and crisp, about 3 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer calamari to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt. Transfer to a large bowl. Rewarm cherry pepper mixture. Drizzle over calamari; toss to coat. Serve with Rouille and lemon wedges.

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