2000s Recipes + Menus

Spicy Calamari with Bacon and Scallions

Serves4 (main course)
  • Active time:25 min
  • Start to finish:25 min
Sautéing the squid in the bacon fat adds tons of flavor to the seafood itself. Fried calamari with marinara sauce will be but a distant memory once you try this.
November 2007
  • 1 1/2 lb cleaned medium squid
  • 1/4 lb bacon (about 5 slices), cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 cup chopped scallions
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried hot red-pepper flakes
  • Rinse squid under cold water, then pat dry between paper towels. Halve large tentacles lengthwise and cut bodies (including flaps, if attached) crosswise into 1/2-inch-wide rings.
  • Cook bacon in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until golden and crisp, then transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
  • Toss squid with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
  • Heat fat remaining in skillet over high heat until very hot, then sauté squid with scallions and red-pepper flakes until just cooked through, about 3 minutes.
  • Serve squid immediately, sprinkled with bacon.
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