Monday, November 2, 2009

Cooking Calamari to Perfection

There's no doubt about it, calamari is a hit as an entree, appetizer or bar snack in dozens of countries around the globe! Because more shellfish lovers have learned to buy seafood online, scrumptious squid dishes are being served everywhere. If your past efforts with calamari have resulted in a tough, chewy mess, it's time to learn to cook your calamari to perfection.

The first rule of calamari, no matter how you prepare it, is that it must be fresh. Unless you're able to walk down to the docks and purchase your squid from a seafood shop, look for an online vendor who offers overnight
seafood delivery. Store your calamari in the refrigerator on ice and use it within a day or two.

The second rule of calamari is that you must cook it quickly, in less than two minutes, or slowly, as in more than an hour. Anything in between gives tough, unappetizing squid that will have your guests grimacing rather than asking for more!

The most common way to cook calamari quickly, as with shrimp and other forms of shellfish, is to fry it. Some squid lovers like it dipped in beer batter or with spicy seasonings added into the coating. Whichever way you like it, the key is to have the oil you're deep frying or stir frying in hot enough to quickly brown the coating without toughening the calamari.

Again, because you've learned to buy seafood online, your calamari rings for frying should be very fresh, without a strong, "fishy" odor. Experiment with batters for your squid and try serving it with dips like marinara sauce and tzatziki.

Another way to gain kudos for your calamari is by cooking steaks, rather than rings, with a quick frying method. Ask your online
seafood delivery service if they can deliver pre-tenderized calamari steaks. These delicious slabs of shellfish can be dipped in egg and seasoned flour and sauteed for just under two minutes. Add a little butter and lemon juice, or experiment with delicate sauces, and you've got a squid dish even the most squeamish can love!

As we mentioned, you also need a way to cook calamari for more than an hour. The best way is braising, which simply means quick heat followed by slow liquid. Stir fry your sliced calamari steaks or rings in a little olive oil for only a minute (add some veggies like shallots or peppers for interest), then cover it with broth, wine or some other type of sauce and cook it slowly for a little over an hour, stirring and adding spices as you go.

This is a wonderful way to make calamari marinara to serve over your favorite pasta. Play with your own treasured sauce recipes and find ways to slow cook calamari into the mix.

No matter how you serve it, remember the rules for calamari:

1. Keep it FRESH!
Buy seafood online and take advantage of overnight seafood delivery if you're not close to a coast.

2. Cook it fast or cook it slow. Anything else will be disastrous!

Calamari could become your family's best-loved shellfish, if you'll follow these rules. Get ready for requests to make squid a regular part of your menu.

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