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The appetizer, Mediterranean

Fried calamari Roman style

Fried calamari Roman style are squid rings coated in flour and cornstarch, fried in hot oil and served with garlic mayonnaise. For 6 people, this takes 25 minutes of active work, costs €3 per person, and rates as easy. Make the garlic mayonnaise in the morning, but fry the calamari at the very last minute so they stay crisp.

Golden squid rings, a squeeze of lemon, and a garlic mayonnaise on the side, and suddenly everyone feels like they're on a terrace in Rome.

Fried calamari Roman style
For
6 people
Work
25 min
Total time
35 min
Prep
Finished at the last minute
Difficulty
Easy
Cost per person
€3.00
Calories per person
290 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach

Good fried calamari should crackle under your teeth and stay tender inside, without any heaviness if the oil is hot enough. The thin coating of flour and cornstarch makes the difference here, staying light and golden instead of turning into a thick crust. A squeeze of lemon and a well seasoned garlic mayonnaise bring a seaside terrace straight to your table.

This is the perfect starter for a dinner with friends on the patio, a family meal in summer, or an impromptu aperitif in the sun. Kids love it just as much as adults, and it pairs naturally with other small bites before a simpler main course. Best from spring through summer, whenever you want a taste of the Mediterranean without any fuss.

The schedule

What happens when, so you can be with your guests instead of in the kitchen.

  1. The day before Nothing to do
  2. The same day 2 steps, 15 min
  3. Before the guests arrive 1 step, 15 min
  4. When it's time to serve 2 steps, 8 min

There's nothing to do the day before for this dish, which works best made at the last minute. In the morning, dry the calamari and make the garlic mayonnaise, which benefits from a few hours in the fridge to develop flavor. Right before guests arrive, set up the coating and heat the oil, then fry the calamari at serving time so they reach the table hot and crisp.

The ingredients

6 people

Fish counter

  • Squid rings 700 g

Pantry

  • Flouroften in the pantry 100 g
  • Cornstarchoften in the pantry 50 g
  • Frying oiloften in the pantry 1 l
  • Mayonnaise 150 g
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 tsp

Fruits and vegetables

  • Lemon 2
  • Garlic 2 cloves
  • Parsley 0.5 bunch

Allergens Gluten, Mollusks, Eggs

The recipe, moment by moment

The same dayDuring the day, whenever you get a moment.

  1. Rinse and thoroughly pat dry the squid rings with paper towels, then keep them chilled. 10 min

    Poorly dried calamari spatter in the oil and won't turn crisp, take your time with this step.

  2. Crush the garlic finely, mix it into the mayonnaise with a little lemon juice and refrigerate. 5 min

    The garlic mayonnaise tastes better after a few hours, the garlic has time to flavor the whole sauce.

Before the guests arriveThe last hour, right before the doorbell rings.

  1. Mix the flour, cornstarch and salt in a shallow dish, and heat the oil to 180 degrees. 15 min

    The cornstarch lightens the coating, without it the result quickly turns heavy.

When it's time to serveThe final touches, right in front of your guests.

  1. Coat the calamari in the flour mix, shake off the excess, then drop them in small batches into the oil for a minute and a half. 8 min

    Don't overcook them, past two minutes the squid turns rubbery.

  2. Drain on paper towels, salt immediately and serve with the lemon wedges, chopped parsley and garlic mayonnaise.

    Salt right as they come out of the oil, it sticks better to the still glistening fried coating.

Our tips to get it right

  • Don't overcrowd the fryer or pot, frying in small batches keeps the oil hot and stops the rings from sticking together.
  • Swap the oil if it's already been used several times, tired oil turns bitter and masks the taste of the squid.
  • Serve right after frying, calamari lose their crunch within minutes of sitting out.

The variations

  • Swap the calamari for peeled shrimp, they fry faster, about one minute is enough.
  • For a vegetarian version, coat and fry zucchini rounds or zucchini blossoms instead of the squid.
  • For kids, serve the mayonnaise plain without garlic and cut the rings smaller so they're easier to pick up.

What to serve it with

  • A chilled rosé
  • Grilled vegetables as a starter
  • A tomato salad to follow

Storage

Fried calamari are best eaten right away, they soften quickly once cold. If you have leftovers, keep them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to one day and reheat briefly in a hot oven to bring back some crunch, never in the microwave.

Questions about this recipe

Can you use potato starch instead of cornstarch?

Yes, potato starch gives a similarly light and crunchy result. Use the same amount as the cornstarch in the recipe.

How do you check the oil temperature without a thermometer?

Drop a small piece of bread into the oil, if it sizzles and turns golden in under a minute, the oil is ready. Without this check, the calamari can soak up too much oil.

Can you fry frozen calamari straight from the freezer?

It's better to thaw them fully and pat them dry before coating. Still frozen rings drop the oil temperature and leave the coating soggy.

How do you plate calamari for a party?

Arrange them on a large platter with lemon wedges around the edge and the garlic mayonnaise in a small bowl in the center. Scattered chopped parsley on top adds color and makes the dish more inviting.

Can fried calamari Roman style with garlic mayonnaise be made ahead?

Partly, the finish happens at the last moment. The recipe needs 25 min of work in total, split up like this, the same day, 2 steps, before the guests arrive, 1 step, when it's time to serve, 2 steps.

How long does it take to make fried calamari Roman style with garlic mayonnaise?

Allow 35 min in total, including resting and cooking time, of which 25 min is actual work. The recipe is rated "easy".

How many calories are in fried calamari Roman style with garlic mayonnaise?

About 290 kcal per person, for a recipe meant for 6 people. The calories are calculated by Kiloach, your kilo coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does fried calamari Roman style with garlic mayonnaise cost?

About €3.00 per person, that's €18.00 for 6 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains gluten, mollusks, eggs. Remember to ask your guests about their allergies before putting your menu together.

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