Fried Calamari

Directions

1. 1
   Pour enough vegetable oil into a wide pan to come about 1 inch up the sides.
2. 2
   Heat the oil over medium heat to about 365 degrees F, or until the edge of a piece of calamari sizzles on contact.
3. 3
   Pat the calamari dry with paper towels.
4. 4
   Separate the bodies from the tentacles.
5. 5
   Dredge the bodies in flour, and shake excess off in a strainer.
6. 6
   Lower the bodies into the oil, and fry, turning occasionally, until golden brown and just cooked through, about 3 minutes.
7. 7
   Lower the heat beneath the oil until you are ready to fry again.
8. 8
   Drain the calamari on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet, and season with kosher salt.
9. 9
   Bring the oil back to frying temperature.
10. 10
    Repeat the dredging process with the tentacles.
11. 11
    Fry the tentacles until golden brown and crispy, about 4 minutes.
12. 12
    Be careful when frying the tentacles: they tend to squirt more than the bodies, because they trap moisture.
13. 13
    Drain the tentacles on paper towels and season with kosher salt.
14. 14
    Serve immediately.