Calamari in Rhode Island
Rhode Island is a state full of beaches, bays, and inlets, and because of this, seafood is a huge deal throughout the area. One of the most popular and common types of Rhode Island seafood is calamari. Not only do people in the state fish for calamari, more commonly known as squid, regularly, but almost every restaurant will serve the dish as an appetizer or an entree. It is simply something that every resident of Rhode Island loves and that every visitor to the state has to try at least once. It's such an important part of Rhode Island culture, that the true culture of the state hasn't really been experienced until one has tried calamari.
One great and simple recipe for Rhode Island style calamari - the one that most of the restaurants in the state use - requires only four cups of canola oil, four ounces of olive oil, four ounces of butter, one cup of sliced pepperoncinis, a half of a cup of chopped red onion, one fourth of a cup of minced garlic, one half of a cup of white wine, one fourth of a cup of clam juice, one teaspoon of crushed red pepper, one loaf of sourdough bread, one half of a teaspoon of cornstarch, two cups of flour, one tablespoon of seasoning salt, a half a teaspoon of cayenne, and twelve ounces of calamari.
To make this delicious dish and experience the true taste of Rhode Island, the preparer heats the canola oil in a pot. Then, in a skillet, the preparer mixes olive oil, butter, pepperoncinis, and onions. Then, the garlic should be added and cooked. The entire mixture is covered with the white wine and cooked until reduced. The clam juice and red pepper are then added. While the mixture is simmering, the bread is cored out and toasted. Then, using a medium bowl, the preparer will combine the cornstarch, flour, seasoning salt, and cayenne. The calamari should be coated in the mixture and then fried until crisp. It is then tossed with the sauce and served inside the bread bowl.