Calamari for a King

Crispy, golden, and utterly irresistible, "Calamari for a King" is a seafood-lover’s delight that transforms simple ingredients into gourmet perfection. Featuring tender calamari rings and tentacles coated in a light, seasoned batter made with sparkling water for extra crunch, this recipe brings a restaurant-quality dish right to your table. Fried to crispy perfection in just minutes, each bite is a harmonious balance of flavors, enhanced by a sprinkle of fresh parsley and a squeeze of bright lemon juice. Paired with creamy mayonnaise and zesty sweet chili sauce for dipping, this quick and easy appetizer is ideal for dinner parties, family gatherings, or date nights at home. Impress your guests and elevate your entertaining game with this luxurious yet approachable calamari recipe that truly lives up to its royal name.

Nutriscore Rating: 54/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:30 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 500 grams calamari (squid rings and tentacles, cleaned)
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 cup cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 cup sparkling water (cold)
• 3 cups vegetable oil (for frying)
• 4 pieces lemon wedges (for serving)
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (chopped, for garnish)
• 0.5 cup mayonnaise (for dip)
• 0.5 cup sweet chili sauce (for dip)

Directions

Step 1

1. Pat the calamari dry with paper towels. This step is crucial to ensure a crisp coating when fried.

Step 2

2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, cornstarch, paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper.

Step 3

3. Gradually whisk in the cold sparkling water, forming a smooth batter with the consistency of thick pancake batter. Add more sparkling water if needed.

Step 4

4. Heat the vegetable oil in a deep skillet or pot over medium-high heat until it reaches approximately 180°C (350°F).

Step 5

5. Using tongs, dip the calamari pieces one at a time into the batter, allowing any excess batter to drip off.

Step 6

6. Fry the battered calamari in small batches (do not overcrowd the pot). Cook for 2–3 minutes, turning occasionally, until the calamari is golden brown and crisp.

Step 7

7. Use a slotted spoon to transfer the fried calamari to a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.

Step 8

8. Repeat with the remaining calamari pieces until all are fried.

Step 9

9. To serve, arrange the calamari on a platter. Garnish with fresh parsley, and serve with lemon wedges to squeeze over the top.

Step 10

10. Prepare two dipping sauces: serve mayonnaise in one bowl and sweet chili sauce in another. Offer these alongside the calamari for a royal touch.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1946.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	8299.5

Total Fat 797.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 115.4g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat g
Cholesterol 1204.4mg	0%
Sodium 4478.7mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 248.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 7.7g	0%
Total Sugars 63.9g
Protein 92.9g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 243.0mg	0%
Iron 9.7mg	0%
Potassium 1721.1mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 84.0%

Protein: 4.4%

Carbs: 11.6%