Salt and Pepper Calamari

Ingredients

• 500g fresh calamari
• 2 tbsp self raising flour
• 1 tbsp oil
• Cornflour
• Vegetable oil, for deep frying
• 4 green shallots, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, chopped
• 1 red chilli, chopped
• 2 tsp Shaoxing wine
• Five Spice mix
• 1 tbsp ground ginger
• 1 tbsp celery powder
• 1 tbsp chicken stock powder
• 1 tbsp salt
• 1 tsp five spice powder
• View conversion table
• Preparation
• Clean calamari by pulling the tentacles from the body. Wash out the tube and remove the clear ‘backbone’. Remove the skin, if desired. Cut tentacles from the head and discard heads. Cut tubes into triangles, this helps them to curl during cooking.
• In a bowl, mix self raising flour, oil and a little water to make a paste. Place calamari pieces and tentacles into the bowl and coat well. Then sprinkle each piece with enough cornflour until the pieces are dry.
• Combine all ingredients for five spice mix and set aside.
• Heat enough vegetable oil for deep frying in a wok. Add calamari, in batches and cook until golden and crisp. Remove with a wire basket or slotted spoon. Repeat with remaining calamari. Drain off oil.
• Add shallots, garlic and chilli to wok. Cook for 30 seconds until aromatic. Return squid to wok and add 2 to 3 tsp of the five spice mix. Toss well to combine. Add Shaoxing wine, toss and serve immediately.