Stuffed Grilled Calamari

Spring or Summer, both grilled calamari and calamari with tomato sauce is the perfect dish to be enjoyed as appetizers, or a delightful dinner! Also try Stuffed Calamari Casserole & Salad
INGREDIENTS                                                                                                                     

Stuffing for calamari.

  • 1 pound of whole calamari (May be bought frozen, pre-cleaned. Thaw, rinse and pat dry with paper towel.)
  • 2  cups cubed bread (for stuffing)
  • 2 eggs (slightly beaten)
  • 1/2 cup milk (may need to add a little bit extra milk so that the bread crumbs are moistened)
  • 2 garlic cloves (medium)
  • 1 tablespoons parsley
  • 1/2 tsp salt

Fill each Calamari with prepared stuffing.

In a medium size bowl, beat egg with a fork, add milk and continue to beat with fork for another 20 seconds. Add bread chunks, salt, garlic and parsley. Using a fork or your hands mix all ingredients together. Open end of Calamari tube (optional, head can be left intact) and with your finders begin to stuff cylinder body of calamari 3/4  full. Set aside on a dish. Repeat with rest of calamari.

Grilled

May be placed on a warm grill slightly golden brown, turn often, calamari will cook for a total of 8 minutes .

In Sauce, Stove Top Calamari in Marinara Sauce

1/3 cup olive oil
1 small onion peeled and diced
28 ounce (700 ml)can of  Tomato Sauce (or may substitute with 1/2 bottle white wine, 375 ml)
1/2 cup water (preferably from pasta water which contains starch used for thickening)
1 tsp salt
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/2 tsp oregano

240 g Fussilli Pasta (cooked) optional

In a skillet pan, over low heat, add olive oil and onion. Allow to become translucent in color, 5 minutes.  Add calamari, allow to become slightly golden turning periodically. Add tomato sauce (or white wine), salt, pepper flakes, oregano. Prop open lid on pan with wooden spoon allow to simmer in sauce for 20 minutes.

If serving over pasta, bring 6 cups of water to a boil. Add 1 Tablespoon salt and 240 g pasta. Follow directions on box for correct amount of time to cook pasta.

Simple Spaghetti Basil & Tomato Sauce

Simple Spaghetti Basil & Tomato Sauce

1 medium onion

2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil  (EVOO)

28 oz tomato sauce

1 tsp salt

1/4 cup milk

10 Basil leaves

120 grams Spaghetti

In a large pan bring 1 quart of water to boil.

In a medium size pan, sauté onion in olive oil for 5 minutes on medium low.

Add tomato sauce, salt, milk (helps to reduce acidity of sauce which comes from the processed seeds.)

Allow to simmer for 20 minutes. Add basil leaves to sauce at end of simmering time.

 

Place Spaghetti in large pan of boiling water and allow to boil for time indicated. Drain water from spaghetti.

Serve Spaghetti with a 1/4 c of sauce

Add Parmesan cheese on top for a delicious bite of dinner!

 

 

Nutrition Facts  Cal 149  Cal from fat 125   Sodium 391mg  Carbohydrate 48g

Note: The fat in this recipe contains heart healthy alimentary fat made of  monosaturated fat (oleic acid) and polyphenols.

 

By:  Kimberly Crocker