Calamari in Squid Ink

​Calamares en Su Tinta (Calamari in Squid Ink Sauce)
Recipe adapted from Amos Watts, Corrida, Boulder, CO
Yield: 2 servings
Prep Time: 15 minutes, plus draining time
Cook Time: 1 hour
Total Time: 1 hour and 15 minutes, plus draining time
INGREDIENTS
For the Calamari:
10 ounces raw calamari, a combination of the tentacles and tubes, cut into rings
2 teaspoons kosher salt
¼ cup sugar
1 lemon, halved
3 whole fresh bay leaves
Extra-virgin olive oil
For the Squid Ink Sauce:
2 medium yellow onions, thinly sliced
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 green bell pepper, small diced, plus more for garnish
1 red bell pepper, small diced, plus more for garnish
Extra-virgin olive oil
Kosher salt, to taste
1 tablespoon sweet paprika
1 cup canned crushed tomatoes
1 cup clam juice (or chicken or vegetable stock)
¼ cup dry white wine
4 peeled black garlic cloves
2 tablespoons squid ink
Lemon juice, to taste
4 tablespoons butter
Diced tomatoes, for garnish
Herbs mint or purslane, for garnish

DIRECTIONS
1. Make the calamari: Place the calamari in a colander and rinse thoroughly. Toss the squid with the salt and sugar, and let sit for 15 minutes before rinsing again.

2. In a saucepot, combine the calamari, one lemon half and the bay leaves, and add enough olive oil to cover. Place on medium heat until the calamari is just barely cooked, approximately 7 to 8 minutes (it will cook further in the sauce).

3. Strain the calamari and transfer to a plate or nonreactive pan and squeeze the remaining lemon half over the top (reserve the olive oil for another use). Let cool and place in the refrigerator until ready to use.

4. Make the sauce: Sweat the onions, garlic and bell peppers in olive oil (season to taste with salt) until the onions are soft and translucent, about 10 to 12 minutes. Add the paprika and cook for 30 seconds.

5. Add the tomatoes, clam juice and white wine, and bring to a boil; cook until the tomatoes are soft, about 5 minutes. Add the black garlic and squid ink, reduce to a simmer and cook for 30 minutes, until all the vegetables are very soft.

6. Transfer the sauce to a blender and purée until very smooth. (For a smoother sauce, you can pass it through a fine-mesh strainer. 
​
7. To serve, heat the sauce and calamari together in a pan on medium heat until warmed through. Add the butter and lemon juice, and continue to cook until the butter is emulsified. Garnish with more diced bell peppers, diced tomatoes and herbs.