Calamari Ripieni (Stuffed Calamari)

30m
Serves 1
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Directions

  1. 1Dice the calamari tentacles.
  2. 2Build the filling by heating extra virgin olive oil, garlic, anchovy, and Calabrian chili until melted.
  3. 3Sear the diced calamari tentacles in the aromatized oil with salt, pepper, and parsley.
  4. 4Add Castelvetrano olives and capers to the tentacle mixture.
  5. 5Deglaze with a splash of white wine and reduce until almost dry.
  6. 6Cool the tentacle mixture.
  7. 7Mix the cooled tentacle base with parsley and breadcrumbs to create a loose stuffing.
  8. 8Add pecorino cheese, salt, and pepper to the stuffing.
  9. 9Taste the stuffing and adjust seasoning if needed, adding a little more pecorino if desired.
  10. 10Stuff the calamari tubes using a straight tip pastry tip, filling them about three quarters full.
  11. 11Secure the stuffed calamari tubes with toothpicks.
  12. 12Dry the stuffed calamari tubes with paper towels.
  13. 13Sear the stuffed calamari in extra virgin olive oil, turning them with a utensil.
  14. 14Season the searing calamari with salt and pepper.
  15. 15Add the remaining tentacles, more olive oil, Calabrian chili, and smashed garlic to the pan and sear until caramelized.
  16. 16Add tomatoes, white wine, and whole basil to the pan.
  17. 17Braise the calamari for about 30 minutes until tender, maintaining a light simmer.

Ingredients

  • fresh calamari
  • extra virgin olive oil
  • garlic
  • anchovy
  • Calabrian chili
  • salt
  • pepper
  • parsley
  • Castelvetrano olives, chopped
  • capers, chopped
  • white wine
  • breadcrumbs
  • pecorino cheese
  • tomatoes
  • basil, whole
  • lemon zest

Equipment

pastry tiptoothpickspanpaper towels

Tips

  • Dice calamari tentacles for the stuffing.
  • Sear calamari tentacles in aromatized oil for bold flavor.
  • Cool the tentacle mixture before mixing with breadcrumbs for the stuffing.
  • Ensure the stuffing is loose, not dense, to prevent bursting and allow it to absorb juices.
  • Stuff calamari tubes about three quarters full to prevent them from bursting during cooking.
  • Use a straight tip pastry tip to easily stuff calamari tubes.
  • Secure calamari tubes with toothpicks.
  • Dry calamari tubes with paper towels before searing to ensure proper searing and prevent sticking.
  • When braising, maintain a light simmer, do not boil, to prevent the calamari from splitting open.