Appetizers, #Lesson 4 - Calamari Rings

Crispy & Gently flavoured Calamari Rings are deep-fried rings of squid served with Tartar Sauce and tangy lemon wedges on the side.‍

Appetizers are dishes that are served prior to the main course to whet our appetites and also to set the right tone for the main meal.

‘Appetizer’ specifically refers to building an appetite. Hors d’oeuvre, another word for Appetizer literally means “outside of the masterpiece”.

The varieties of appetizers are limitless. They could be preparations of raw or cooked, marinated meats, fish or vegetables served hot or cold in small portions. They require little to no preparation, even simply served as roasted nuts, brined or raw cut fruits or vegetables.

Recipe of the day - Calamari Rings

Crispy & Gently flavored Calamari Rings are deep-fried rings of squid served with Tartar Sauce and tangy lemon wedges on the side.

Recipe Card

Serves 2 pax

Ingredients Quantity
Fresh squid (cut into rings) 500g
Milk OR buttermilk 1 cup
Cooking oil For deep frying
Salt & pepper as required
For the batter
Corn flour ¼ cup
Flour (plus extra for coating) 1 ½ cup
Egg 2 pieces
Garlic, minced 2 cloves
Parmesan cheese (grated) 2 tbsp
Salt ½ tsp
Freshly ground black pepper ½ tsp
Cayenne pepper ½ tsp
Ice cold water 220 ml
For Tartar sauce
Mayonnaise ¾ cup
Pickled gherkins (chopped) 1 tbsp
Pickled capers (chopped) 1 tsp
Parsley, chopped 1 tsp
Pickled pearl onion (chopped) 2 nos
Lemon wedges, to serve As required

Method of Preparation

  1. Clean and cut squid into rings, put in a bowl and soak in milk or buttermilk for 10 minutes to tenderize then drain and pat dry. Season with salt & pepper as
  2. Combine all ingredients listed in the recipe and season as required to prepare sauce, keep in the fridge to
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, using a whisk, make the batter by mixing cornflour, flour, egg, garlic, cayenne pepper, parmesan cheese, salt & pepper then pour in the ice-cold water to prepare batter mix (just right- not too thick or too runny).
  4. Heat cooking oil in a deep fat fryer/ frying
  5. Dip the squid into the batter and coat in flour, then deep fry until lightly golden, strain and transfer to a paper towel to remove any excess
  6. Serve with Tartar sauce and lemon wedges on the side.

Crispy & Gently flavoured Calamari Rings are deep-fried rings of squid served with Tartar Sauce and tangy lemon wedges on the side.‍

Appetizers are dishes that are served prior to the main course to whet our appetites and also to set the right tone for the main meal.

‘Appetizer’ specifically refers to building an appetite. Hors d’oeuvre, another word for Appetizer literally means “outside of the masterpiece”.

The varieties of appetizers are limitless. They could be preparations of raw or cooked, marinated meats, fish or vegetables served hot or cold in small portions. They require little to no preparation, even simply served as roasted nuts, brined or raw cut fruits or vegetables.

Recipe of the day - Calamari Rings

Crispy & Gently flavored Calamari Rings are deep-fried rings of squid served with Tartar Sauce and tangy lemon wedges on the side.

Recipe Card

Serves 2 pax

Ingredients Quantity
Fresh squid (cut into rings) 500g
Milk OR buttermilk 1 cup
Cooking oil For deep frying
Salt & pepper as required
For the batter
Corn flour ¼ cup
Flour (plus extra for coating) 1 ½ cup
Egg 2 pieces
Garlic, minced 2 cloves
Parmesan cheese (grated) 2 tbsp
Salt ½ tsp
Freshly ground black pepper ½ tsp
Cayenne pepper ½ tsp
Ice cold water 220 ml
For Tartar sauce
Mayonnaise ¾ cup
Pickled gherkins (chopped) 1 tbsp
Pickled capers (chopped) 1 tsp
Parsley, chopped 1 tsp
Pickled pearl onion (chopped) 2 nos
Lemon wedges, to serve As required

Method of Preparation

  1. Clean and cut squid into rings, put in a bowl and soak in milk or buttermilk for 10 minutes to tenderize then drain and pat dry. Season with salt & pepper as
  2. Combine all ingredients listed in the recipe and season as required to prepare sauce, keep in the fridge to
  3. In a medium mixing bowl, using a whisk, make the batter by mixing cornflour, flour, egg, garlic, cayenne pepper, parmesan cheese, salt & pepper then pour in the ice-cold water to prepare batter mix (just right- not too thick or too runny).
  4. Heat cooking oil in a deep fat fryer/ frying
  5. Dip the squid into the batter and coat in flour, then deep fry until lightly golden, strain and transfer to a paper towel to remove any excess
  6. Serve with Tartar sauce and lemon wedges on the side.

Appetizers, #Lesson 4 - Calamari Rings