BRAISED CALAMARI STUFFED WITH SHRIMP, SPINACH, AND HERBS

Braised Calamari Stuffed with Shrimp, Spinach, and Herbs image

Provided by Anne Burrell

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

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11 (5 to 6 inches long) calamari tubes, cleaned, divided
1/2 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined, roughly chopped
3 cloves garlic, smashed and coarsely chopped
2 cups coarsely chopped baby spinach
2 eggs
1/2 to 3/4 cup breadcrumbs
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
1/2 bunch fresh oregano, leaves chopped
2 pinches crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
Extra-virgin olive oil
1 large or 2 small onions, finely diced
Pinch crushed red pepper flakes
Kosher salt
2 cloves garlic, smashed and finely chopped
3/4 cup dry white wine
1 (28-ounce) can Italian plum tomatoes

Steps:

For the calamari: Roughly chop 3 of the calamari tubes and add to a food processor with the shrimp and garlic. Pulse into a coarse paste. Remove to a large bowl and add the spinach, eggs, breadcrumbs, cheese, herbs, and crushed red pepper. Season with salt and stir to combine. The mixture should be a little chunky but moist and holding together. Test the seasoning of the mix by making a mini patty, cooking it in a small pan, and eating it. It should taste really good! If it doesn't, it is probably missing salt. Add more salt, as needed. Divide the stuffing among the remaining 8 calamari bodies and secure closed with toothpicks.
For the sauce: Coat a large, wide skillet or saucepan with olive oil and add the onions and crushed red pepper. Season with salt and put the skillet over medium heat. Saute the onions until they are soft and aromatic, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, another 2 minutes. Stir in the wine and cook until the wine has reduced by half. Pass the tomatoes through a food mill or puree them in a food processor and add them with 1 cup of water to the skillet. Season with salt, to taste, and simmer the sauce for 15 minutes.
Add the calamari to the skillet and cook for 20 to 25 minutes, turning them over halfway through the cooking time. Remove the calamari from the skillet and remove the toothpicks. Reduce the sauce to thicken, if needed. Arrange the calamari on a serving platter and cover with the sauce before serving.