This Caribbean Fried Calamari recipe was inspired by country music artist Liza Marie. She loves calamari and we decided to pair this classic dish with a sauce inspired by her heritage. This fried goodness is a fantastic dish makes a great appetizer or even as an entree. Try this tasty Caribbean Fried Calamari recipe today!
While you are cooking check out our full interview with Liza Marie by clicking HERE!
Caribbean Fried Calamari
Servings: 4 people
Cost: 15
Equipment
- food processor
- Dutch Oven
- slotted spoon
- sheet pan
- wire bakers rack
Ingredients
Sofrito
- 2 cubanelle peppers largely diced
- 1 roasted red pepper largely diced
- 1 onion largely diced
- 4 ajices dulces peppers
- 2 plum tomatoes stemmed and largely diced
- 6 cloves garlic skin removed
- 1 lime zest and juice
- 1 ½ cups cilantro stems removed
Caribbean Dipping Sauce
- 2 cups heavy mayo
- 4 tbsp sofrito
- 1/4 cup Ketchup
- 1/2 tsp favorite creole seasoning
- hot sauce to taste
Fried Calamari
- 1 lb calamari cleaned and cut to 1/2 inch slices
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- ½ cup cornmeal
- ½ tsp paprika
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- ¼ tsp garlic powder
- 2 ½ cups canola oil
Instructions
Sofrito
- combine all ingredients into a food processor. Pulse until finely chopped. About 30 seconds.
Caribbean Dipping Sauce
- In a bowl combine all ingredients and place in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
Fried Calamari
- Place the oil in a dutch oven over medium high heat. Bring the oil to 350° degrees.
- Using two bowls, place the buttermilk in one and the dry ingredients in the other. Using a whisk, mix the dry ingredients until well combined.
- Add the calamari to the buttermilk and fully coat.
- Dredge small batches of the calamari in the flour mixture and all to the hot oil. Cook for 4-5 minutes. If you listen closely it will go from a hissing sound to a poof. That is the perfect time to remove the calamari.
- Place the cooked calamari on a wire rack placed inside a sheet pan. Continue this process until all the calamari is cooked.
- Enjoy!
