Shrimp-Stuffed Calamari With Polenta

Serves: 3

Isabella Feil

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

51

Spice

49

Sweetness

50

Sourness

37

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

1 large

Egg

Directions:

1

Prepare the calamari: Rinse the bodies and set aside

2

Dice the tentacles and the shrimp into 1/4-to-1/2-inch pieces

3

Beat the egg in a large bowl

4

Add the diced calamari tentacles and shrimp, the breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, basil, lemon zest and juice, anchovies and garlic

5

Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste and mix until combined

6

Using your fingers, stuff each calamari body about two-thirds full with the shrimp-breadcrumb mixture and close with a toothpick

7

Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a wide pot over medium-high heat

8

Sear the calamari in batches until browned and opaque on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes, and transfer to a plate

9

Make the sauce: Lower the heat, add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pot and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes

10

Season with salt, then add the wine and scrape up any browned bits from the pot

11

Boil until the wine is almost evaporated, then crush the tomatoes into the pot with your hands and add the juices

12

Add 1 cup water, 3/4 teaspoon salt and the basil stalks

13

Arrange the calamari in a single layer in the pot

14

Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the calamari are tender, about 40 minutes

15

Uncover and cook until the sauce thickens, 10 to 15 more minutes

16

Meanwhile, make the polenta: Place 4 1/2 cups cold water in a separate pot over low heat

17

Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and the bay leaf

18

Whisk in the polenta in a slow, steady stream, then increase the heat to medium and bring to a boil, whisking frequently

19

Reduce the heat and cook at a bare simmer, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the polenta is thick and pulls away from the sides of the pot, about 25 minutes

20

Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and cheese

21

Divide the polenta among shallow bowls

22

Discard the toothpicks and place the calamari on top of the polenta

23

Remove the basil stalks and spoon the sauce over the dish

24

Garnish with the chopped basil and more parmesan

25

Photograph by Con Poulos