Spiced Salt & Pepper Calamari
Servings: 6
Ingredients
- 4 teaspoons sea salt flakes (or course sea salt)
- 4 teaspoons coarsely ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon crushed red chili pepper (chili flakes)
- 1/2 teaspoon five-spice powder
- 1/2 cup cornstarch (cornflour)
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (plain flour)
- 3 large eggs
- 2 lbs cleaned calamari rings & tentacles, patted dry
- canola, nut oil or coconut oil for deep-frying
- lemon wedges, for serving
Instructions
- Combine salt, black pepper, chili pepper & spice together in a small dish.
- Place cornstarch & flour in a shallow bowl. Add half of the salt mixture & whisk to combine. Crack eggs into a bowl & whisk to break up. Working in batches, toss calamari in flour then egg then in the flour mixture again.
- Heat oil in a large wok or pot over high heat until 350F. Deep-fry calamari, four batches in hot oil for 2 minutes or until crisp & lightly golden. Drain on paper towel, sprinkling each batch with some of the salt mixture. Keep warm in the oven but best when served immediately with lemon wedges & any leftover salt mixture.