Garlic sauteed calamari is one of the easiest recipes for calamari, and healthier than the fry ones. For me, it is heaven send as I cant digest fry food properly. This is a delicious and healthier way to eat it, and so easy!. Using a hot pan and sauteing the squid for a short amount of time ensures deliciousness every time.
The difficulty in preparing squid, and octopus as well, is you must cook it for either a very short amount of time (sauteed or fried for no more than 3 minutes) or a long amount of time (stewed for over 20 minutes). I know it’s confusing, but anything in between turns into a chewy old rubber shoe sole (not literally of coarse). I did a Octopus recipe before here, and now you can enjoy squid too! I serve mine with a side of spring greens and crackers.
Ingredients:
1 pound cleaned squid
2 teaspoons chopped garlic
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
blended olive oil
1/2 lime
1 teaspoon chopped parsley
kosher salt
fresh cracked black pepper
1. Clean, Prep and Dry Squid
Cleaning involves removing the beak, eyes, quill and skin of the squid. Cut squid into 1/2-inch to 1-inch wide rings. Sometimes in the supermarket they have them already cut in sealed bags in the seafood freezer, If you can, sweet-talk your local fish monger to do this for you.
2. Add Oil to Hot Sauté Pan
Adding oil to an already hot pan (fire set to medium high) will prevent sticking. Oil should almost be on the verge of smoking before adding the garlic, parsley and red chili flakes.
3. Sauté Garlic, Parsley and Chili Flakes
Add garlic, half of the parsley, and red chili flakes to the hot oil and sauté for only 10 seconds, or so, to bring out the flavors and oils. You don’t want the garlic to overcook, turn brown and become bitter.
4. Sauté Squid
Add cleaned and dried squid to the sautéed garlic, parsley and chili flakes. Only add enough to barely cover the bottom of the pan, to ensure you have enough space and heat to cook the squid correctly. Add a pinch of salt and some cracked pepper. Keep the squid moving in the pan to prevent it from burning. Sautéed calamari is done when it just turns firm and opaque in color, should only take about 1-2 minutes.
5. Garnish and Add lime or lemon
Add remaining parsley, a big squeeze of lime, stir them through, plate the garlic sautéed calamari and ENJOY!
And yes, it’s as easy as that!
