This calamari au gratin recipe makes a wonderful fresh appetizer in the summer with a mixture of tender squid, cherry tomatoes, and crispy breadcrumbs. The addition of lemon zest brightens up all of the flavors.
The process of making the calamari au gratin is incredibly easy. All you have to do is toss the calamari rings with a seasoned breadcrumb mixture, cherry tomatoes, and lemon zest, and then bake them in the oven. The baking process helps the breadcrumbs become golden and crisp, offering a counterpoint to the soft textured squid.
What is Calamari Au Gratin?
Calamari au gratin is a baked squid recipe involving calamari rings, cherry tomatoes, breadcrumbs, and lemon zest. The breadcrumbs are blended with parsley and garlic for added flavor.
Pro Tips
- This recipe is a great place to use older bread slices that aren’t at their prime for fresh use.
- Choose vine-ripened tomatoes for the best flavor.
- Feel free to use either fresh or frozen squid for this recipe. If using frozen squid, thaw it according to your package instructions.
- Don’t overbake the calamari or else it will have a rubbery texture.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should the Calamari Be Soaked in Milk?
This recipe doesn’t call for soaking the calamari in milk before coating, although it is sometimes used as a method for removing the fishy taste of the squid and to tenderize it. If you would like to take that extra step, you certainly could but it isn’t necessary with this recipe.
What are Common Mistakes When Cooking Squid?
One of the most common mistakes is overcooking it. With squid, there is a fine line between it being cooked through and tender versus having a rubbery texture. This calamari au gratin recipe should only require 25 minutes to bake in the oven.
What Do Italians Eat With Calamari?
Calamari is often served as an appetizer with lemon wedges or an aioli or marinara dipping sauce. Since this recipe is prepared in an au gratin style rather than being fried and includes so many flavorful ingredients, a dipping sauce isn’t needed. However, you could feel free to round out the table with other appetizers if you like such as caprese skewers or a fresh salad.
How to Store Calamari Au Gratin
The leftover calamari au gratin can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge but it is best to eat within 2 to 3 days. To reheat it, you can gently warm it up in the oven but make sure you don’t heat it for too long or else the squid will become rubbery in texture.
Ingredients
How to Make Calamari Au Gratin
Grind the bread into fine breadcrumbs with the garlic and parsley. In a bowl, stir the squid with the oil, salt, and pepper.
Grind the bread into fine breadcrumbs with the garlic and parsley. In a bowl, stir the squid with the oil, salt, and pepper.
Cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Toss the squid with the breadcrumbs, cherry tomatoes, and lemon zest until combined.
Cut the cherry tomatoes in half. Toss the squid with the breadcrumbs, cherry tomatoes, and lemon zest until combined.
Arrange the mixture on a baking sheet and drizzle it with olive oil. Bake it in a 360 F (180 C) oven for 25 minutes.
Arrange the mixture on a baking sheet and drizzle it with olive oil. Bake it in a 360 F (180 C) oven for 25 minutes.
Serve and enjoy!
Serve and enjoy!
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