Deep fried calamari with garlic and lemon mayonnaise

At the International Hotel School, one of our culinary student’s favourite food recipes is deep fried calamari. This addictive dish is so simple to whip up and can be done so within minutes. Go ahead and give this a try, it can be paired with fried chips, potatoe wedges, a leafy green salad or some hot veggies.

Preparation time less than 30 mins

Cooking time less than 10 mins

Serves 6-8 as a snack

Ingredients

• vegetable oil, for deep frying
• 250g/9ozplain flour
• ½ tsp cayenne pepper
• ½ tsp smoked Spanish paprika (many supermarkets and delis sell smoked Spanish paprika. If you can’t get hold of any, use the traditional paprika instead)
• ½ tsp salt
• 500g/1lb 2oz squid, cut into 5mm/¼in rings
• 2 eggs, beaten

For the mayonnaise

• 200ml/7fl oz mayonnaise
• 1 garlic  clove, crushed
• ½lemon, juice only

Method

1. For the mayonnaise, mix all the ingredients together and set aside.
2. For the calamari, place enough oil in a wok, large saucepan or deep-fat fryer to come halfway up the pan. Place over a medium heat. If you’re using a deep-fat fryer or have a thermometer, heat the oil to 180C/350F. If not, to check the oil is at the right temperature, drop a 2-3cm/¾-1¼in cube of bread into the hot oil. It should become golden and crispy in 1 minute.
3. While the oil is heating, place the flour, cayenne, paprika and salt in a large sandwich bag. Drop in the squid and shake around to coat evenly. This may need to be done in two batches, depending on the size of the bag.
4. Dip the floured squid into the beaten egg and then carefully drop into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes until golden. Remove from the oil and briefly drain on kitchen paper before serving with the garlic and lemon mayonnaise.

This homemade food recipe is easy and definitely worth the effort. See the fun our students had creating their own deep fried calamari dishes. If your considering a career in the culinary industry the International Hotel School, has the perfect course for you, our Culinary Arts Programme.

This 1 year intensive cookery programme provides students with the relevant theory, background and practical cooking skills ideal for those wishing to make their career in the field of professional cookery. Students have an option to do an additional 2nd year in either Patisserie (6 months), or the Advanced Diploma in Food Preparation and Cookery Supervision (6 months), or both. The programme is offered in our Cape Town, Durban and Sandton campuses and work experience takes place at leading restaurants and hotels in the greater Cape Town, Durban, and Johannesburg areas.

(source: http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/deepfriedcalamariwit_68061, images: http://www.mygreekdish.com/recipe/crispy-fried-calamari-recipe-kalamarakia-tiganita/,