Crispy Calamari & Baby Octopus Fritti

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: cornmeal

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients while cornmeal provides a crunchy texture.

baby octopus

💰Cheaper: squid

Squid is often more readily available and less expensive than baby octopus.

marinara sauce

🥗Healthier: homemade tomato sauce

💰Cheaper: canned tomato sauce

Homemade offers freshness while canned is budget-friendly.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil is healthier for frying, while vegetable oil is more economical.

Clean and wash the baby octopus and squid tubes, removing any innards.

Slice the squid tubes into rings of similar thickness.

In a bowl, add enough milk to cover the squid and baby octopus, then add 1 egg and whisk together.

Cover the mixture with plastic wrap and refrigerate for about 30 minutes to 1 hour.

Dice 1/2 of a brown onion and add it to a pan with olive oil.

Add 3 crushed cloves of garlic to the pan with the onion and sauté.

Add 1 teaspoon of oregano and a bit of dried basil to the pan.

Add 1 dried chili and 80 ml of white wine to the mixture, cooking until the alcohol burns off.

Stir in 2 teaspoons of chili tomato paste, some tomato pasta sauce, and whole cherry tomatoes, cooking until thickened.

Prepare the coating by mixing 2 cups of plain flour, 2 large tablespoons of breadcrumbs, 2 teaspoons of baking powder, 2 teaspoons of cornstarch, and black pepper in a bowl.

Heat vegetable oil in a deep fryer or pot for frying.

Remove the squid and octopus from the fridge and coat them in the flour mixture, letting them rest briefly before frying.

Fry the calamari and baby octopus in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan, until golden brown.

Sprinkle rock salt over the fried seafood after removing it from the oil.

Plate the fried calamari and octopus, straining the dipping sauce to remove chunky bits before serving.

Serve with lime wedges and the dipping sauce.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Allergens