5-Spice Calamari

If you like to spice up your calamari like me, here's a simple ingredient that can turn your fried squid into something more spectacular. With a little Chinese Five-Spice Powder, you'll be loving this calamari at first bite. It's like falling in love all over again =)

This is a tender and extra-crispy calamari and quite savory, too! Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1 lb Squid, cleaned and cuttlebone removed
Salt and Pepper
Lime Juice
1 cup Tempura Batter
3/4 cup Ice Cold Water
2 tsp Chinese Five-Spice Powder

Directions:
Clean squid thoroughly, remove spine. Separate the heads from the body. Split the body in half. Score the inside of the squid in a diamond design. Wash and drain well. Use paper towel to soak out excess liquid if necessary. Season with salt and pepper. Add some freshly squeezed lime juice (half a lime). Set aside.

Pour ice cold water in a separate bowl. Add tempura batter and five-spice powder. Using a pair of chopsticks, mix batter well until big lumps are fully dissolved. Add seasoned squid. Coat well with tempura batter.

Heat vegetable oil at 350-375 degrees F in a deep frying or a large sauce pan. Fry squid in small batches for about a minute or two or until golden brown. Drain excess oil in a plate lined with paper towel. Serve with a Vidalia Onion dressing or any dressing/sauce of your choice. This can be serve as an appetizer or if you are like me, I like to eat this as a meal with a bowl of jasmine rice and a side of pickled cucumbers.