Prepare Calamari Steaks 2 Ways:
Calamari has always been our family favourite – Growing up with a fisherman dad, he’d catch the local calamari but as it was so valuable as bait he’d never allow us to eat it – the standing family joke it that we get it after a long day fishing – in other words we were allowed it only after it had been on the boat, in the sun the whole day!
Thankfully there are a lot of options when it comes to calamari – we sell the local (when we can get it and its not kept for bait) the smaller patagonian tubes and tentacles, the strips and the steaks.
Today my focus is on the steaks. They’re great value and so versatile – also a great standby for the freezer and defrost in a flash. I normally defrost in cold water for about half an hour.
We prepare calamari steaks from the Giant Humbolt flying squid (Dosias gigas) and the great news is they’re on the SASSI green list. The squid are caught using Jigs –
‘Jigs are coloured, plastic lures with barbs. They can be attached to a handline or in a series on a longline that is operated by machine. The jigs are dragged from fishing boats in a way that creates a jerking movement – making them appear alive. Jigging for squid generally happens at night using spotlights. Jigging has little impact on the environment and minimal bycatch.’ from the sassi website
I prepare calamari steaks 2 ways: the SESAME GRILLED CALAMARI is super as a salad or starter with greens and would be perfect for entertaining. The CRISPY PANKO CRUMBED CALAMARI is everyone’s favourite favourite – and especially enjoyed by the little ones
Sesame grilled calamari
Ingredients
500g calamari steaks
2 tablespoons sesame seeds – toasted
Marinade
80ml soy sauce
60ml mirin
2 tablespoons fresh ginger – grated
1 clove garlic – crushed
1 fresh chilli – chopped (seeds removed)
1 tablespoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon honey
- Defrost calamari steaks and pat dry
- Score the one side of the calamari steak
- Marinade for half an hour (use only half the marinade)
- Sear in a hot pan for 3 min a side
- Slice and serve with the rest of the marinade and sesame seeds
Delish with greens, plenty spring onions and coriander as a starter or salad



CRISPY PANKO crumbed calamari
500g calamari steaks
½ cup flour seasoned with salt and pepper and fishspice (optional)
2 eggs – beaten
1 cup panko crumbs
Oil for frying
Method
- Pat calamari dry after defrosting
- Cut into strips
- Coat with four
- Dip into the egg
- Coat with panko crumbs
- Shallow fry for 3 minutes in total
Delicious served with Ocean Jewels tartare sauce, spicy mayo or sweet chili sauce



Hey Lynn, sure you can! Stews and curries being very wet means they freeze well so go ahead, make a…