Lisette's Cooking Adventures: Baked Stuffed calamari

In Catholic communities all over the world Seafood is consumed during the Lenten season because of the rituals of abstinence followed during this time. However calamari has made its name known among all communities and is a favorite as an appetizer in most eateries all year round. It is most often seen as battered and deep fried rings but it can be quite tasty if served grilled with a little salt and olive oil, or served whole with various stuffings.

In this recipe I have remained true to the Goan roots where the squid is cleaned and stuffed with authentic Goan spices.
In Goa the calamari tentacles would also be saved and used in the filling, For convenience I have used store bought, pre-cleaned squid which makes this recipe easy to make at home.

Squid or calamari is a good source of Copper, Selenium, Phosphorus, Vitamin B12 and Zinc.

Ingredients

(For the calamari tubes)

3 large cleaned calamari tubes ( I used frozen calamari which was defrosted)
1/2 lime
salt to taste
1/2 teaspoon turmeric
1/2 teaspoon sweet/mild/or hot Kashmir chilly powder depending on taste

(For Stuffing)

1 cup cooked prawns chopped roughly ( do not grind or mince)
1 small onion chopped
1 tomato chopped
1 green chilly seeds removed (optional) and chopped
1 heaped teaspoon ginger/garlic paste
salt to taste
1/4 teaspoon pepper
1 teaspoon red sweet paprika, or chilly powder or recheio (stuffing or marinading masala), depending on your preference for heat
Note : Recipe for Recheio at
https://goankhana.blogspot.com/2015/11/recheado-masala-in-minutes.html?view=mosaic

Method

Wash the calamari tubes and dry with a paper towel.
Sprinkle with salt, the juice of half a lime and the remaining spices listed for the tubes. Gently brush both sides of the tubes so the spices are distributed or use your hands to do this. Leave aside.

For the stuffing.

Using a microwave safe bowl, add all the ingredients for the stuffing except the prawns. Put in the microwave and cook for 2-3 minutes on high power.

Remove, stir and put it back in until the tomatoes have changed colour and are easy to mash with a spoon. Stir and add the cooked prawns. Taste the filling to ensure you have enough salt or acidity. Add a little vinegar or lime juice if you like it more sour

Now preheat the oven to 375 F.

While the oven is heating, stuff the calamari with a teaspoon. Use up all the filling and seal the open end of the tube with a toothpick as shown.

Sprinkle a few breadcrumbs on the calamari (optional). Spray the calamari lightly with a cooking kitchen oil .
Put it in the heated oven for about 15-20 minutes until the calamari is cooked and the breadcrumbs toasted.