Name: Gluten-Free Fried Calamari With Aioli
Cook time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 2/3 cup potato starch; 1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder; 1 3/4 cups arepa flour (precooked cornmeal), divided; 1 large egg yolk; 1 garlic clove, finely grated; 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice; 1/2 cup grapeseed oil; 1/4 cup olive oil; Kosher salt; Vegetable oil (for frying; about 8 cups); 6 ounces cleaned squid, bodies and tentacles separated; 4 scallions, white and pale-green parts only, sliced into 3-inch pieces; 4 very thin lemon wheels; 1/3 cup torn basil leaves; A deep-fry thermometer

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Photo by Michael Graydon & Nikole Herriott

How does this remain shatteringly crisp? The secret is hiding in the batter: potato starch and arepa flour, the tickets to everlasting crunchiness.

Ingredient Info

Arepa flour, sometimes sold as masarepa or harina precocida, can be found in Latin markets and some supermarkets.

Recipe information

Total Time
35 minutes
Yield
4 servings

Ingredients

2/3 cup potato starch

1 1/4 teaspoons baking powder

1 3/4 cups arepa flour (precooked cornmeal), divided

1 large egg yolk

1 garlic clove, finely grated

1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice

1/2 cup grapeseed oil

1/4 cup olive oil

Kosher salt

Vegetable oil (for frying; about 8 cups)

6 ounces cleaned squid, bodies and tentacles separated

4 scallions, white and pale-green parts only, sliced into 3-inch pieces

4 very thin lemon wheels

1/3 cup torn basil leaves

Special Equipment

A deep-fry thermometer

Preparation

Step 1
Whisk potato starch, baking powder, and 3/4 cup arepa flour in a large bowl. Whisk in 2 1/3 cups water; let sit 30 minutes to allow flour to hydrate. Place remaining 1 cup arepa flour in a shallow bowl.
Step 2
Meanwhile, whisk egg yolk, garlic, and lemon juice in a small bowl to combine. Whisking constantly, gradually drizzle in grapeseed oil and olive oil; whisk until sauce is thickened and emulsified. Season aioli with salt; stir in 1 tsp. water.
Step 3
Fit a large pot with thermometer; pour in vegetable oil to come 3" up sides of pot. Heat over medium-high until thermometer registers 375°F.
Step 4
Meanwhile, cut squid. Slice bodies lengthwise along one side and open to expose interior. Cut in half crosswise (or in thirds if large). Cut each half (or third) into 1 1/2" triangles; cut tentacles in half. Rinse; pat dry.
Step 5
Working in batches of 5 or 6 and returning oil to 375°F between batches, dredge squid, scallions, and lemon in arepa flour, shaking off excess; dip into batter, letting extra drip off. Fry, turning every 30 seconds or so, until golden, crisp, and puffed, about 2 minutes. Transfer to paper towels; season with salt. Top with basil and serve with aioli.

Nutrition Per Serving

Calories (kcal) 980 Fat (g) 65 Saturated Fat (g) 8 Cholesterol (mg) 145 Carbohydrates (g) 92 Dietary Fiber (g) 1 Total Sugars (g) 1 Protein (g) 13 Sodium (mg) 160

TagsSquid Shellfish Seafood Main Dinner Dairy Free Gluten Free Nut Free Deep Fry Bon Appétit

Recipe notes

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