Awesome Texas Recipe for Calamari

1/2 lb frozen calamari or 1/2 lb fresh calamari
1/2 cup whole milk
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 cup japanese panko or 1/4 cup regular fine dry breadcrumbs
1/2 cup vegetable oil (for frying)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon red hot pepper flakes



Prepare a deep-fryer with a good vegetable oil and heat to 375 degrees F, or use a medium size deep frying pan on high heat.

Defrost calamari and rinse under cold running water.

Cut calamari into 1/4 inch strips. Pat dry calamari with paper towels.

In a medium size mixing bowl, mix together flour and Panko bread crumbs.

Add milk to a bowl and dip calamari in the milk.

Toss calamari strips in flour/crumb mixture just to coat. You do not want to have a heavy coating as it could drop off when frying.

Flash fry coated calamari in prepared deep-fryer or frying pan for about 15 seconds, deep frying in small amounts.

In a frying pan, heat 1/2 cup of vegetable oil to medium-high heat.

Add garlic and red pepper flakes and stir well, cover with a screen to prevent oil from spattering or splashing.

Sauté flash-fried calamari for about 1 minute or until nicely light brown. Do not over fry as it could get chewy.

Serve calamari with your favorite dip.