• Wild Caught from Pontian / 笨珍野生捕获
• 100% Preservatives Free / 绝无防腐
• Also known as / 台湾人称作 “花枝 / 墨鱼 / 乌贼”

 Cuttlefish 墨斗

Cuttlefish from Pontian has a hint of sweet taste in its savoury flavour that is unique and cannot be found elsewhere. It is often confused with Squid (Sotong) and Bigfin Reef Squid (Sotong Daun). In fact, Cuttlefish and Bigfin Reef Squid both have a firmer texture than Squid. It is mild in flavour and suitable for stir-fry or deep-fry. Cuttlefish is high in protein and recent scientific research revealed that is helps decrease bad cholesterol (LDL) intake! 笨珍野生的墨斗有别于来自其他海域的墨斗，它的口味更加清甜。许多人常常会与把墨斗，苏东和青目混淆。其实，墨斗和青目的口感比苏东来得结实。墨斗的味道偏清淡，适合煎炒或油炸。墨斗富含优质蛋白质，有些研究也表明，它能够有效地降低劣质蛋白的摄入。

Chinese Name(s): 墨斗

Local Name(s): Sotong Katak

Origin: Pontian 笨珍

Type: Wild Caught 野生

Flavour: Mild 清淡

Texture: Firm 结实

Cooking Method: Stir Fry / Steam 炸 / 蒸

Weight Loss after cleaning (whole fish): 55%

How To Make: Fried Calamari

Ingredients

• 1 lb cleaned calamari tubes cut into rings, and tentacles left whole
• juice of 1/2 a lemon
• 2 cups flour
• 1/2 tsp cayenne
• 1/2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup buttermilk or milk
• vegetable or canola oil for deep frying
• marinara sauce, lemon wedges, or aioli, for serving, optional

Steps

• Place the calamari into a bowl with the lemon juice, and let sit for 30 minutes. This will tenderize the calamari.
• Preheat frying oil to 375 degrees F, either in a deep fryer or a large cast iron pot, no more than 1/2 full.
• In a medium bowl, whisk to combine the flour, cayenne, paprika, and salt. Add half of this mixture to another medium bowl. Place the buttermilk or milk in a third bowl. Place the three bowls on the counter in the following order: spiced flour, buttermilk, and spiced flour.
• Remove the calamari from the lemon juice, then dredge each piece in the flour, shaking off any excess, then into the buttermilk, shaking off the excess, then back into the second bowl of flour. Repeat this process with all the calamari.
• Fry the calamari in batches for about 2-3 minutes total, until golden brown. Then drain on a paper towel and immediately salt the calamari generously so the salt sticks. Serve with marinara sauce and lemon wedges, if desired. Enjoy!

Also Try: Chinese Style Salt & Pepper Squid