What Does Calamari Taste Like? #2 Best Recipes To Help You Find Out
What does calamari taste like? Despite its popularity online, many people still do not know exactly what this delicious seafood taste like. Most of them find it hard to know its taste since they haven’t encountered it.
If you are one of those people who have never tried calamari before, let us find out together what it tastes like.
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What Is Calamari?
In order for you to know what calamari tastes like, it is better to know what it is first. Calamari is an Italian name which simply means squid. This term is usually used to describe squid delicacies since it tends to sound more palatable than squid.
This seafood is slightly related to the octopus and cuttlefish with ten tentacles just like an octopus. The tentacles are edible but the body is the one that provides meat that can be stuffed whole, sliced crosswise into perfect rings or cut into flat pieces.
What Does Calamari Taste Like?
Calamari can taste rather mild, slightly sweet and almost producing a nutty flavor. Some people state that it tastes rather fishy. When it is tenderized and soaked in egg or milk, its taste may differ greatly.
Depending on how it is prepared and the cooking time, calamari can be firm, rubbery or gummy. Any slight overcooking will turn this seafood into a chewier texture. The YouTube video below may also help you find out what calamari taste like.
How Calamari Is Cooked
There are different ways of cooking calamari. Whichever way you use, you need to be careful not to overcook calamari. If you cook it for long, it may turn into a gummy texture and become less pleasant to eat. This is the reason many chefs advise people to tenderize it and cook it at the minimal time to maintain its serving taste.
This said, you need to cut calamari into tiny rings or strips so that it is able to be cooked in the shortest time possible. You can opt to fry the strips and rings or bake them.
2 Recipes To Help You Find Out What Calamari Taste Like
1. Sautéed Calamari With Parsley And Garlic
If you didn’t know, tender calamari can just shine with just a few ingredients and a few minutes of cooking. This type of recipe can be served with crusty bread and lemon wedges for acidity.
Ingredients
The ingredients you need include 1 pound squid with tentacles left whole and body cut into 3/4-inch rings, 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil, 2 teaspoons finely chopped or minced garlic, 1 tablespoon chopped parsley leaves, 1 lemon, cut into wedges, freshly ground black pepper and 1 tablespoon salt.
Directions
1. Pat the squid pieces dry with a paper towel.
2. Heat extra-virgin olive oil in a large frying pan over high heat until smoking.
3. Carefully add the squid pieces in a single layer, and then add 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, 2 teaspoons garlic and 1 tablespoon coarsely chopped parsley leaves.
4. Season with 1 tablespoon salt and freshly ground black pepper.
5. Cook the combination for about 1 to 2 minutes, tossing frequently, until squid rings turn opaque. Season it with addition pepper and salt.
6. Serve with lemon wedges.
2. Calamari Special
This is one of the best tasting and yummy calamari recipes that I have ever cooked at home. You will find calamari cooked this way very tender than what you many have tasted in restaurants.
Ingredients
Some of the ingredients you will need include 1⁄2 lb calamari, 1⁄2 cup whole milk, 1⁄4 cup regular fine dry breadcrumb, 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour, 1⁄2 cup vegetable oil, 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon red hot pepper flakes sauce.
Directions
1. Heat a deep frying pan up to 350 degree Fahrenheit. You can also use a deep fryer instead.
2. Cut the fresh calamari into 1/4 inch strips and pat the pieces dry using paper towels.
In a medium size mixing bowl, mix together 1⁄4 cup all-purpose flour and 1⁄4 cup regular fine dry breadcrumb, and then set aside.
3. Add 1⁄2 cup whole milk to a different bowl and dip calamari strips in the milk.
4. Dip the strips in the mixture that you set aside. Make sure that a thin layer of flour and crumb mixture coats the strip.
5. Flash fry coated strips in the frying pan for about 15 seconds.
6. In a frying pan, heat the vegetable oil to medium heat. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, and 1 tablespoon red hot pepper flakes sauce and stir well.
7. Cover with a lid to prevent oil from splashing. Sauté flash fry coated strips for 45 to 60 minutes or until nicely light brown.
8. Serve calamari with your favorite dip.
Conclusion
I hope you have gotten an idea how this unique seafood tastes like. I have also recommended some of the recipes that can help you to know what calamari tastes like. These include recipes such as Sautéed Calamari with Parsley and Garlic and a simple one known as Calamari Special.
If you have any other way to help people know the taste of this delicacy, feel free to share with us. If you have any question, feel free to ask in the comments section below.
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