Battered Squid

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon pepper
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 1/2 cup white wine
• 2 eggs
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 4 tablespoons chinese hot pepper sauce
• 1 cup flour
• 2 lbs calamari, cleaned, cut into rings
• 6 tablespoons cornstarch
• 8 cups oil, for frying
• 6 leaves iceberg lettuce (large)
• curry mayonnaise

Directions

1. 1

   Combine salt, pepper, garlic, fish sauce, wine, eggs, pepper sauce and paprika in blender and blend 30 seconds.

2. 2

   Pour mixture into a large bowl and stir in flour just until combined.

3. 3

   Do not overmix.

4. 4

   Add calamari.

5. 5

   Cover with plastic warp and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

6. 6

   Just before cooking, stir cornstarch into calamari mixture.

7. 7

   (important for crispness) Heat oil in large deep saucepan to 375°F (pinch of flour dropped into oil bubbles).

8. 8

   Drop small batch of calamari into hot oil.

9. 9

   Do not crowd the pan.

10. 10

    Cook in batches until calamari rings are golden brown and crispy (about 2 minutes).

11. 11

    Remove and drain on paper towels.

12. 12

    To serve; fill each lettuce leaf with 1 cup calamari and serve with Curry Mayo.