Peppered Fried Calamari

Ingredients

• 1 pack thawed PanaPesca Calamari Rings & Tentacles or Calamari Tubes & Tentacles
• Thaw in refrigerator overnight or in tap water for about an hour before cooking
• 3 egg whites
• 3/4 cup corn starch
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1-2 qt oil for frying

Procedure

1. If using tubes & tentacles, cut the tubes into rings.
2. Heat the oil in a sauce pan to 370°F.
3. Mix the corn starch, flour, salt and pepper together.
4. Lightly whisk the egg whites to a froth.
5. Coat half of the calamari in the egg white.
6. Remove from the egg whites allowing as much of the egg white to drain as possible, then add to the flour mixture and toss to coat.
7. Remove from the dry mixture, put into a colander or strainer allowing the flour to remain in the dry mix bowl.
8. Add the coated calamari to the hot oil and fry for about 1 minute, stirring a few times as they cook.
9. Remove from the hot oil to a strainer or towel to remove as much oil as possible.
10. Repeat the process for the second half of the calamari.
11. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce, ie marinara, ranch, spicy mayo, sweet chili, etc.