Cut into rings. If the rings are big or thick, score them for easier chewing. Pat dry with paper towels. Whatever oil is neutral flavored, cheap, and has a reasonably high smoke point - gemeric vegetable oil is fine. Pour 4'' or more into a stable wide pot. Place pot on back burner (for safety). Have tongs and a mesh spoon (or slotted spoon or a wire spider). Also a draining plate or sheet pan covered with paper towels. Candy or frying or probe-type thermometer. All your coating and dipping stuff, in bowls, arranged production-line style.

It would be fun to try preparing the calamari a couple different ways.

Such as:
- Dusted with flour mixed with plenty of salt, pepper, and maybe cayenne (basic deep fry)
- Dusted with flour, then dip in egg wash, then roll in panko bread crumbs (breaded)
- Dip in cold or ice water roughly mixed with beaten egg and flour (tempura)

Get oil to 375F, place four or five pieces of prepared calamari in the oil (dip in each piece separately, so they don't clump up). Don't want oil to fall below 350F, hence only do a few pieces at a time. Fry for two minutes or until the coating is golden. Remove and drain on paper towels. If desired, sprinkle lightly with salt.

John - I have not had anything fried since I had a gall stone last August. But your descriptions are tempting me to run out and get some calamari to bread and fry!

June - drop back in and let me know which one you made!

Teresa

I will let you know how they come out. I decided to do it tomorrow when I am not so tired... thanks for the response.

June

June:
There are many ways to cook Calimari.
It is a traditional Italian dish for Christmas Eve.

If you want to fry it,cut into about one half inch rings. Soak it in milk for at least an hour.This will take out some of the rubberieness.
Dry on paper towels.

Make a mix of a cup of Flour ,
one half teaspoon of Garlic Powder and Old Bay seasoning, a pinch of Salt, Onion Powder and Pepper.

Place the rings in the flour mix and then into a Skillet of heated Oil.
Cook for about one minute or until Golden color.

You can test the Oil, to know if it is hot enough, by putting part of the Squid in the oil.

If it bubbles it is OK. Flares up, it is too hot.
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We also make Stuffed Squid baked in Tomato Sauce.
It is my favorite!!!

Here is the Calamari stuffed and Baked in Tomato Sauce.

LOU

I prefer to cook calamari in squares instead of rings. To do this, you cut one side with scissors and then open it up. At this point, you can easily score it diagonally in diamond shapes to make it more tender, and cut it into 1-1/2" squares. It cooks faster this way and is less rubbery, unless you overcook it. The breading and cooking method is the same.

Lars

I usually get mine at Trader Joe's--calamari steaks! I'll pan fry them in butter and olive oil. Sometimes I bread them, sometimes I don't. I try to make enough so we can have calamari sandwiches the next day. Delish!

Cooking quickly will result in tender calamari. So will cooking slowly for a long time. Cooking for an in between amount of time gives tough calamari.

Naturally, fried calamari needs short cooking, not long. Stuffed calamari, like Lou pictures, simmered gently (braised) for a long time, will be tender. Stuffed squid is my favorite too. I also like squid any way ya got it.

Jim

Lars:
I cut them in squares, when they are used for Spaghetti Sauce. Another favorite.

Jim :
I would rather stuff myself with Squid.
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Story :
A while back, When I was running fires, we had a call about 2 AM.
When we returned to the Firehouse, I asked the guys if they would like some Spaghetti.

I did-nt tell them it was Calamari Sauce, my wife had made earlier. They all said, " yes ".

So I ran home and took all the Tenticles out of the Sauce.

All 8 guys came down and had a dish each, Including the Mayor, Magistrate and Police.

They all loved the Spaghetti and kept asking what kind of meat, did I use.

I would not tell them. Then one of the guys happened across one of the Tenticles.

He ate it and laughed, said " I know " but would not tell them.
I told them a week later. Their responses were mixed,
" Man, I use that for bait " or " it was really good ".
The next morning my wife saw all the dishes in the sink and asked what went on last night.

That was when Calamari was not as popular.

LOU

Here is what i did...I soaked the calamari in milk for a couple of hours. Then I drained them and patted them as dry as I could. The vegetable oil was on getting nice and hot and I proceeded to mix the flour with some salt , pepper, garlic powder, onion powder and a little chilli powder.
Now the temp of the oil was close to 375 and I put about about 8 pieces in the pan and boy did they start to brown very quickly. I did not want them to get overcooked so I scooped them out very quickly. They were very tender but didn't have any real flavor, I was disappointed.
It was the first time and it won't be the last I want them to come out nice and golden and tasty like you get in a restaurant. Next time will be better I just know practice makes perfect.

Try sprinkling with salt immediately as they are removed from the oil. That is usually a good practice with deep fried food.

Jim

June:
Try adding more of the Spices that you like, until you get it right.

Wish I had an outlet for Calamari, like you mentionned.
LOU

June, it sounds like you did a good job, and you're on the right track. Like Jim said, salt a bit just as they come out of the oil. But, also as Lou said, add more to the flour. I think often people don't realize how much spices the flour can take. After you add as much spice as you think is right, dip your finger in the flour and taste it. If it just tastes like flour you need more salt and the other spices. Just add until the flour actually tastes of the spices. Good luck.

You guys are the best...I will try the suggestions next time I do this. Lou I am soooo happy to have Whole Foods in my town. Considering the price of meat and fish etc. I think $7.99 a lb. for fresh cleaned squid was fantastic.

Gemini:
I saw the seafoods in Whole Foods when I met with Mustangs,
In Sarasota.

I will have to look for an Asian market when I go to the VA Hospital, this week.

Coconut :
Have you been spying on me ???
" Dip your finger in the Flour and taste it. "

I thought I was the only one who did that !!!

LOU