BLUE GINGER CRISPY CALAMARI

BLUE GINGER CRISPY CALAMARI image

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon ground coriander
1 teaspoon ground fennel
1 teaspoon ground white peppercorn
1 tablespoon kosher salt
Canola oil, for frying
2 cups Thai Lime Dipping Sauce, plus 1/2 cup, for dipping
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sweet-potato flour or cornstarch
2 pounds calamari, cleaned and cut into 1/2-inch rings
2 tablespoons thinly sliced scallions, white and green parts

Steps:

In a small frying pan, combine the cumin, coriander, fennel, and white peppercorns. Toast over medium heat, stirring, until just smoking, 4 to 5 minutes. Cool and transfer to a small serving bowl or ramekin. Add the salt and mix. Set aside. Fill an electric fryer with the oil to the designated mark, or fill a small stockpot one-third full. Heat the oil to 375°F. Place a flat strainer in a large bowl into which it just fits and fill the bowl with the Thai Lime Dipping Sauce. In another large bowl, combine the flours. Working in batches, place the calamari in the first bowl and marinate for 10 seconds only. Using the strainer, lift the calamari from the bowl and transfer it to the bowl with the flours. With a second flat strainer, dip and lift the calamari in the flours, coating it so no moisture is detectable. Shake the squid in the strainer to remove all excess coating. Transfer the squid to the oil and fry only until the bubbling sound dies away, 30 to 45 seconds. (The calamari will have colored to a golden brown.) Using a flat strainer, transfer the squid to paper towels to drain. Season the squid with the flavored salt, garnish with the scallions, and serve immediately with the dipping sauce.