Grilled calamari with arugula is a delightful dish that combines the tender and slightly chewy texture of calamari with the peppery flavor of arugula. This dish is not only delicious, but also relatively easy to prepare, making it a great option for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. The key to cooking calamari perfectly is to avoid overcooking it, as this can make it tough and rubbery. Instead, cook the calamari quickly over high heat, and serve it immediately with a drizzle of olive oil, lemon juice, and a sprinkling of fresh herbs.
Here are our top 8 tried and tested recipes!
GRILLED CALAMARI WITH ARUGULA
Categories Salad Backyard BBQ Lemon Squid Arugula Summer Grill Grill/Barbecue Healthy Gourmet
Yield Makes 4 main-course servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill.
- Rinse squid under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels. If squid are large, halve tentacles lengthwise and cut longer ones, if attached, crosswise into 2-inch pieces. Pull off flaps from squid bodies, if attached, and reserve. Cut each squid body lengthwise along "seam" and open flat. Score large squid, including flaps, lengthwise with a sharp knife, making cuts close together (about 1/8 inch apart like ridges on rigatoni) and being careful not to cut through squid, then halve squid bodies crosswise.
- Squeeze enough juice from 2 lemons to measure 1/4 cup. Cut remaining whole lemon into wedges.
- Whisk together lemon juice, oil, garlic, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper until combined well and transfer 1/4 cup dressing to a large shallow bowl, reserving remainder. Add squid to dressing in shallow bowl, tossing to coat, and marinate at room temperature, turning once, 10 minutes.
- Thread 2 skewers through each squid body, near opposite sides of body (to keep squid flat during grilling). Thread all the flaps onto 1 or 2 skewers. Thread all tentacles crosswise (through thickest part) onto skewers, without crowding, letting tentacles dangle. Discard marinade.
- When fire is hot (you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 1 to 2 seconds), grill squid on a lightly oiled grill rack, uncovered, turning once, until they just turn opaque, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes total. Transfer to a cutting board and remove skewers. Cut squid bodies lengthwise into 1 1/2-inch-thick strips. Halve strips crosswise if using larger squid.
- Toss squid with 3 tablespoons reserved dressing and salt and pepper to taste in a clean bowl. Toss arugula in another bowl with just enough of remaining dressing to coat, then season with salt and pepper. Divide arugula among 4 plates and top with squid. Serve with lemon wedges.
GRILLED CALAMARI
The key to preparing calamari is to either cook it really fast or really slow; anything in between will leave you with a chewy texture. Serve this in a big bowl as part of an antipasti spread or as individual servings.From the book "Lucinda's Rustic Italian Kitchen," by Lucinda Scala Quinn (Wiley).
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Yield Makes 4 appetizer servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a serving bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Stir in the garlic and whole oregano sprigs.
- Heat a grill pan over the high heat. (Alternatively, you can cook the squid on the grill.) When very hot, add the squid and char each side for 1 minute. Remove from the pan and slice crosswise into 1/4-inch rings, including the tendrils. Add the squid to the lemon sauce. Crack freshly ground pepper over and serve immediately.
GRILLED CALAMARI AND ARUGULA SALAD
Provided by Food Network
Time 40m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For the vinaigrette: Add the grapefruit juice and vinegar to a medium bowl. Add the olive oil while whisking to combine. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper.
- For the calamari salad: Mix together the oil, chili flakes, garlic, lemon juice and zest, parsley and some salt in a large bowl. Add the calamari, toss together and let marinate for 20 minutes or up to 1 hour. Preheat a grill to high heat. Remove the calamari from the marinade and skewer them. Skewering the rings of the calamari onto 2 skewers each will help to keep them on the skewer and not fall off into the grill. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill for about 2 minutes per side. They should be slightly charred and opaque. Add the calamari, arugula, grapefruit segments, fennel and vinaigrette to a large bowl and toss. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
GARLICKY GRILLED CALAMARI AND NECTARINE SALAD
Provided by Aarti Sequeira
Time 16m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For the dressing: Place the minced garlic cloves on a cutting board, then sprinkle with kosher salt. Using the back of your knife, mash the garlic to form a paste. Add it to a bowl with the lime juice, 1/4 cup oil, cumin, turmeric, garam masala and red chile flakes, if using. Whisk together, then season with salt and pepper, if necessary. Remove 3 tablespoons of the marinade and set aside for the squid.
- For the squid: Heat up a large grill pan over high heat. Don't put anything on the grill until it's screaming hot! That will prevent the excess sticking.
- Meanwhile, place the lemon juice in a large salad bowl and whisk in a pinch of salt and a few grinds of pepper. Add the arugula and toss to lightly coat. Transfer to a serving platter.
- Drizzle the nectarine slices with olive oil, and lay them on the grill, turning every minute or so until the fruit have nice grill marks all over. Remove them to a plate. Pat the squid dry with paper towels, if necessary, and add to the reserved marinade. Toss to coat. Shake the calamari of the excess marinade, and place the tubes and tentacles on the hot grill, cooking about 3 minutes per side. If the squid sticks, wait another 30 seconds or so. When it's well-seared, it will release!
- Remove the calamari from grill, and slice the calamari tubes (bodies) into rings. Add rings and tentacles to the bowl of reserved dressing and toss well to coat. Arrange the nectarine wedges and calamari on the platter, over the bed of arugula. Drizzle the remaining dressing over the bowl, as desired, and serve.
- Combine the cinnamon sticks, cloves, green cardamom seeds, black cardamom seeds, if using in a spice grinder or coffee grinder and grind until fine. Store the spice mix in an airtight container away from direct sunlight.
GRILLED SQUID WITH FRESH RED CHILE AND ARUGULA
One of the most popular dishes at the acclaimed River Café in London, this sophisticated starter has been on the menu every day since the restaurant opened in 1987. With its primary colors and strong flavors, the combination of just three ingredients is simple, pure, and right.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Appetizers
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Dressing: Whisk together lemon juice and oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Squid: Clean squid by cutting body open to make a flat piece and scraping out guts. Keep tentacles in their bunches but remove eyes and mouth. Using a serrated knife, score inner side of flattened squid body with parallel lines 1/2 inch apart, and then lines equally apart the other way to make crosshatching.
- To make the sauce, put chiles in a bowl and cover with oil. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat grill for direct heat (or a grill pan on high). Place squid (including tentacles), scored-side down, on grill, season with salt and pepper, and grill 1 to 2 minutes. Turn squid pieces over; they will immediately curl up, by which time they will be cooked.
- Toss arugula in dressing. Arrange two squid bodies with tentacles on each plate with some arugula. Put a little chile sauce on squid and serve, with lemon quarters.
ORECCHIETTE WITH LEMONY GRILLED SQUID, ARUGULA AND CHICKPEAS
Food & Wine. June 2007. This can also be made with already cut and cleaned squid and/or made on the stove top. Thaw frozen squid first! Don't overcook the squid or it becomes tough.
Provided by dicentra
Categories Squid
Time 30m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Light a grill. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the pasta until al dente.
- Drain the pasta, reserving 6 tablespoons of the cooking water. Return the al dente pasta to the pot.
- Meanwhile, in a bowl, toss the squid with 1 tablespoon of the oil; season with salt and pepper and grill over moderately high heat, turning once, until lightly charred and white throughout, 4 minutes.
- Transfer the squid to a work surface. Slice the bodies crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rings and quarter the tentacles.
- In a small skillet, heat the remaining 1/4 cup of olive oil.
- Add the garlic and cook over moderate heat until golden, about 3 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper and cook for 30 seconds.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the lemon juice.
- Stir the lemon-garlic sauce into the pasta. Stir in the arugula, chickpeas, squid and the reserved pasta cooking water.
- Cook over low heat, tossing, until the arugula is wilted, about 1 minute. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to bowls and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 581.2, Fat 19.6, SaturatedFat 2.8, Cholesterol 132.1, Sodium 169.8, Carbohydrate 77.6, Fiber 5.1, Sugar 2.1, Protein 22.9
GRILLED CALAMARI & ARUGULA SALAD RECIPE - (5/5)
Provided by [email protected]
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- VINAIGRETTE: Add the grapefruit juice and vinegar to a medium bowl. Add the olive oil while whisking to combine. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper. CALAMARI SALAD: Mix together the oil, chili flakes, garlic, lemon juice and zest, parsley and some salt in a large bowl. Add the calamari, toss together and let marinate for 20 minutes or up to 1 hour. Preheat a grill to high heat. Remove the calamari from the marinade and skewer them. Skewering the rings of the calamari onto 2 skewers each will help to keep them on the skewer and not fall off into the grill. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and grill for about 2 minutes per side. They should be slightly charred and opaque. Add the calamari, arugula, grapefruit segments, fennel and vinaigrette to a large bowl and toss. Season with salt and pepper and serve immediately.
WARM CALAMARI SALAD WITH TOMATO AND ARUGULA
Provided by Molly O'Neill
Categories easy, quick, salads and dressings
Time 10m
Yield Four servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Heat 3 tablespoons of the olive oil in a large ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook until lightly browned, about 15 seconds. Add the squid and cook for 1 minute. Pour in the wine and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place the skillet in the oven just until the squid curls into cylinders, about 2 to 4 minutes.
- Immediately remove the squid from the skillet with a slotted spoon. Place over medium heat, add the lemon juice and simmer until the liquid is reduced to about 1/3 cup. Return the squid to the pan. Remove the pan from the heat and toss in the tomato, parsley and arugula. Place on a platter, drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil and serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 345, UnsaturatedFat 13 grams, Carbohydrate 14 grams, Fat 17 grams, Fiber 3 grams, Protein 30 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 892 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams
Tips:
- Choose fresh calamari: Look for calamari that is firm and has a slightly translucent appearance. Avoid any calamari that is slimy or has a strong odor.
- Clean the calamari properly: To clean the calamari, remove the head, tentacles, and ink sac. Then, score the body of the calamari in a criss-cross pattern. This will help the marinade to penetrate the calamari and will also prevent it from curling up when it is grilled.
- Marinate the calamari: Marinating the calamari in a mixture of olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, and herbs will help to flavor and tenderize it. You can also add other ingredients to the marinade, such as white wine, Dijon mustard, or honey.
- Grill the calamari over high heat: Grilling the calamari over high heat will help to sear it and prevent it from becoming tough. Cook the calamari for 2-3 minutes per side, or until it is cooked through.
- Serve the calamari immediately: Grilled calamari is best served immediately, while it is still hot and tender. You can serve it with a variety of dipping sauces, such as marinara sauce, tartar sauce, or lemon-butter sauce.
Conclusion:
Grilled calamari is a delicious and healthy seafood dish that is easy to make. By following these tips, you can make grilled calamari that is tender, flavorful, and perfectly cooked. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
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