Best Seared Calamari With Basil Recipes

PAN-SEARED CALAMARI WITH SPICY MARINARA OVER LINGUINE

Steps:

• Cook linguine according to package directions.
• Heat oil over medium heat in a large skillet and a small saucepot. To both, add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add calamari to the skillet and cook 2 minutes. Then to both, add pasta sauce and crushed red pepper flakes and bring to a simmer. Simmer 3 to 5 minutes, until calamari is tender. Reserve tomato sauce in the saucepot for another meal.
• Transfer linguine to a serving platter. Spoon all of the calamari and tomato sauce over linguine. Garnish with basil, if desired.

SEARED CALAMARI WITH BASIL

Steps:

• Blanch basil in a small saucepan of boiling water 15 seconds, then drain in a sieve and rinse under cold water to stop cooking.
• Drain basil and squeeze out excess liquid, then purée in a blender with olive oil, water, lemon juice, and 1/2 teaspoon each of salt and pepper until dressing is bright green and smooth, about 1 minute.
• Cut each body sac of calamari lengthwise along seam to open into a flat piece; rinse well. Pat calamari dry, then cut body sacs into 1-inch pieces and halve any large tentacles lengthwise.
• Toss beans, tomatoes, celery, and onion with 1/3 cup basil dressing, then gently toss with greens. Season with salt and lemon juice, then divide among 4 plates.
• Heat griddle over high heat until hot. Meanwhile, toss calamari with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Brush griddle with vegetable oil, then cook calamari in 1 layer, stirring occasionally with tongs, until browned in spots and just cooked through, 2 to 3 minutes. Divide calamari among salads; drizzle with some of remaining dressing.

STEWED CHICKPEAS AND CALAMARI

Steps:

• Quick soak the chickpeas by putting them into a large heavy bottomed pot and covering them with water by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes; remove from heat, cover, and let soak for 1 hour. Drain the chickpeas and return them to the pot. Cover them with fresh water by about 2-inches, add 1 tablespoon salt, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer the beans until they are tender, about 2 to 2 1/2 hours. Drain and set aside.
• Clean out the pot and put it back on the stove over medium-high heat. Heat the olive oil and cook the onion, garlic, chili, thyme, and bay leaves until the onion begins to soften, about 5 minutes. Add the paprika and cumin and cook for 1 minute. Hand-crush the tomatoes and add them with their juice to the pot along with 1 cup of water. Add the chickpeas, roasted peppers, and calamari and season with salt and pepper. Turn the heat down and simmer until all the flavors have blended and the calamari is tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Serve in small dishes with a drizzle of olive oil.

FRIED CALAMARI WITH BASIL AND LEMON WITH ARRABBIATA

Steps:

• Add calamari rings to a large mixing bowl and cover with milk (use more or less to completely cover the calamari. Peel garlic cloves and gently bash with the side of a knife to open the clove and release some of the juices. Add to the bowl, season with salt and pepper, then cover and refrigerate overnight.
• Heat approximately 3-inches of vegetable oil to 350 degrees F. in a deep-fryer or heavy bottomed pot. Remove calamari bowl from the refrigerator stir in the basil. Set up 2 large mixing bowls: 1 with a colander sitting in it and the other with seasoned flour. Dump the calamari into the colander and drain the milk. Shake the colander to remove excess liquid then place the strained calamari and basil into the flour. Toss to coat, and then place back into the colander to remove excess flour. Fry (both calamari and basil leaves) in batches until crispy and golden brown, about 2 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the calamari and basil leaves to a tray lined with paper towels to drain, as you cook.
• For the Arrabbiata sauce:
• Set a large skillet over medium heat and add 3 tablespoons of olive oil. Add chopped garlic, onion and red pepper flakes. Saute until fragrant then add tomatoes and wine. Break up tomatoes with the back of your wooden spoon and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes until some of the juice has reduced. When done, give it a final seasoning with salt and pepper, then puree in a blender (or use an immersion blender) until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and sugar and serve with calamari.

SAUTEED CALAMARI WITH TOMATOES, BASIL, RAISINS, AND PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Thinly slice 3 cloves garlic. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add garlic, anchovies, and red pepper flakes; cook until garlic has browned. Stir in tomatoes; transfer to oven and roast until dried and thickened, about 20 minutes.
• Add reserved tomato juice to cooked tomato mixture and stir to reconstitute sauce. Add capers, basil, pine nuts, and raisins; stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper; place over low heat to keep warm.
• Heat a large skillet and add 3 tablespoons olive oil; heat until smoking. Add squid, cook, stirring constantly, until squid rings begin to open up and become firm, about 30 seconds. Season with salt and pepper. Add tomato sauce to skillet, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cook until squid is opaque and sauce is hot, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Preheat a grill pan. Drizzle bread with 3 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill until toasted on both sides. Rub cut sides of toasted bread with remaining clove of garlic.
• Divide calamari evenly among 4 shallow bowls. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with lemon zest and parsley. Serve immediately with toasted bread.