One of our favorite munchies when we are out and about for dinner (or lunch, lunch works too!) is a nice platter of freshly fried calamari. One of fave lunch spots serves theirs with slightly crisped slices of peperoncini and halved grape tomatoes.
Tasty!
So when one of my fave convenience frozen seafood brands had a “Buy One, Get One FREE!” deal, I stocked up the new, improved garage freezer.
So, the thing is, we have a lot of friends who cannot eat the breading because of the gluten, and others who won’t because, calamari, I I chose to save this box for just the two of us and serve it as calamari salad with a chopped salad kit and my own Creamy Garlic Dressing drizzled over all.
INGREDIENTS
•1 box frozen breaded calamari
•Sliced peperoncini
•Grape tomatoes, halved
•Steakhouse seasoning (optional)
•Sliced lemon
•1 chopped salad kit
•Creamy Garlic Dressing
Note 1: this was more than enough as a main course dinner salad for the two of us. Could’ve been a nice appetizer salad for four.
Note 2: every air fryer is different, so go by the cooking times and temps and settings that work the best with your machine. My air fryer seems to run best at 400º. I also, for something like this, use my machine’s “Air Roast” setting, which adds a bit of broiler action to the process.
Heat your air fryer (my machine needs to be preheated, some do not) to 400º.
Line the air fryer pan with parchment paper, then arrange the frozen calamari (no need to thaw) in a single layer in the pan.
Scatter the sliced peperoncini and grape tomatoes over the top,, then, if you like, season with your fave steakhouse seasoning.
Pop into the hot air fryer and cook for five minutes or so.
Depending on your machine, give the try a shake or, as with mine, rotate the tray and return to the air fryer for another five minutes or so, until the calamari is done to your liking.
Remove from the air fryer and squeeze the lemon slices over the whole tray.
Toss the salad kit in a large bowl, then serve topped with the calamari mixture and some of that Creamy Garlic Dressing.
Note: not a fan of garlic? No worries! Since you’ve started with a salad kit, simply use whatever dressing was included in the bag, or, you could always the classic American option and use ranch dressing.
It is all good.