FRIED CALAMARI WITH SPICY RED SAUCE

Fried Calamari with Spicy Red Sauce image

Provided by Food Network

Time 1h5m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 17

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2 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 cup chopped yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon tomato paste
1 1/2 teaspoons crushed red pepper flakes
One 16-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1/4 cup grated carrots
Kosher salt
2 quarts canola oil
2 cups rice flour
2 cups semolina flour
1 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 pound frozen and thawed calamari, bodies cut into 1/4-inch rings and tentacles
1 cup drained jarred pickled pepper slices
6 to 8 sprigs fresh rosemary
Flaky sea salt
Lemon wedges, for garnish

Steps:

Add the olive oil to a medium pot over medium heat. Once it's hot, add the onions and garlic and cook until the onions are translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the tomato paste and red pepper flakes and stir until the tomato paste is thoroughly incorporated. Add the crushed tomatoes to a food mill and process the tomatoes directly into the pot. Add the grated carrots and season with kosher salt. Reduce to low heat and simmer for 20 minutes. Adjust the seasoning as needed. Cover and put aside to keep warm.
Heat the canola oil in a large Dutch oven or large heavy-bottomed pot over medium-high heat to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet tray with paper towels.
Add the rice flour, semolina flour, pepper and 2 teaspoons kosher salt to a large shallow dish and mix until thoroughly combined. Working in 3 batches, toss the calamari, pickled pepper slices and rosemary sprigs in the seasoned flour, then scoop them out with a pasta spider and shake off the excess; transfer to the oil. Fry for 90 seconds, then remove to the paper towels and season with flaky sea salt. Repeat until all the calamari is cooked.
Serve with the lemon wedges and spicy marinara on the side.