The holidays are all about creating warm memories. And for many, those memories are made right in the kitchen and around the dinner table. There is something special about sharing food with the people you love.
One of my favorite traditions is the Italian Christmas Eve Dinner. It feels so festive and full of history. This calamari recipe is a wonderful way to bring that feeling home, even if you are just starting out. It’s simple, flavorful, and so impressive.
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Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Honestly, this dish has it all. It comes together so quickly, which is a huge plus during the busy holiday season. No one wants to spend all night in the kitchen.
The flavors are just fantastic. You get the bright, zesty taste from the tomatoes and a little salty kick from the capers. It is a beautiful combination that feels both fresh and comforting.
But the best part might be the textures. The calamari is so tender, while the panko breadcrumbs on top add a wonderful, nutty crunch. Every bite is an interesting experience.
It is a great starting point for your own Christmas Feast Dinner. You can serve it as an appetizer or as one of several dishes. It truly captures the spirit of an Italian Christmas Eve Dinner Traditional style meal.
Ingredients
For The Calamari Sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 medium shallot, divided
- 2 tbsp chicken broth
- 1 cup canned cherry tomatoes or diced tomato
- 2 tbsp capers
- 1/4 cup peppadew peppers, diced
- pinch crushed red pepper or aleppo pepper
- 1 lb calamari, sliced into rings
For The Crunchy Panko Topping
- 1 tbsp salted butter
- 2 tbsp diced shallot
- 1/3 cup panko breadcrumbs
- 1/4 cup fresh herbs (parsley, rosemary, oregano)
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1: Prepare The Crunchy Panko Topping
First, let’s make the crunchy topping. You can do this while the sauce simmers to save time. Grab a small skillet and melt the butter over medium heat.
Add the finely diced shallot. You will want to cook it until it is soft and you can see through it. This usually takes just a couple of minutes.
Now, toss in the panko breadcrumbs. Stir them around so they get coated in the butter. Keep toasting them until they turn a lovely light brown color and smell nutty.
Finally, stir in your fresh chopped herbs. Then just set the skillet aside for later. Easy, right?
Step 2: Start The Calamari Sauce
In a larger skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced shallot and saute it for about 3 minutes. You are looking for it to become fragrant and soft.
Pour in the chicken broth. Give it a good stir and let it cook for another 2 minutes. This little step adds a nice layer of flavor to the sauce base.
Step 3: Simmer The Sauce
Time to add the tomatoes, capers, diced peppers, and that small pinch of crushed red pepper. Stir everything together so it is well combined.
Let this mixture cook for about 12 to 15 minutes. You should stir it pretty often to keep anything from sticking. The sauce will thicken up a bit.
Don’t forget to season it. Add a generous pinch of salt and black pepper. Give it a taste and adjust if you think it needs more of anything.
Step 4: Cook The Calamari
While the sauce simmers, get your calamari ready. The most important thing is to pat it dry with paper towels. This helps it cook properly.
Once the sauce is ready, add the calamari rings to the pan. Now, this is the key part. Cook them for only 2 minutes. Seriously, set a timer if you need to!
If you cook calamari for too long, it gets tough and rubbery. We want it to be nice and tender. Two minutes is all it takes to cook through.
Step 5: Garnish And Serve Immediately
Your calamari is ready. All that is left to do is sprinkle that crunchy panko breadcrumb mixture over the top. Serve it right away while it is hot.
This dish is a wonderful part of any Italian Christmas food spread. It looks so festive and tastes even better. Your family will be so impressed.
How To Store Leftovers
Let’s be honest, this recipe is at its best the moment it comes out of the pan. The textures and flavors are just right when it is fresh and hot.
If you do have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will be good for up to two days. The panko topping will lose its crunch, though.
I really do not recommend reheating the calamari. It will almost certainly become overcooked and rubbery. It is just not worth the risk.
Instead, enjoy the leftovers cold. You can add them to a green salad for a tasty lunch the next day. Think of it as a calamari salad. It’s a great way to avoid waste.
Tips
Want to serve this as a small appetizer for your Italian Christmas Eve Dinner? It is a great choice. This recipe will feed about four to six people as a starter.
Serve it with some warm, sliced baguette for dipping into that amazing sauce. A little sparkling white grape juice alongside makes it feel extra special.
You can also make this the main event. For a simple dinner for two, serve it with some garlic and oil pasta. A big green salad on the side completes the meal perfectly.
If you are planning a big Feast of 7 Fishes Italian Christmas, this dish fits right in. It can be one of several seafood courses for a family of four.
My biggest tip is about the calamari itself. Do not overcook it. I know I have said it before, but it is so important for getting that tender texture. Just two minutes is the magic number.
To make your holiday cooking a little less stressful, prepare the panko topping ahead of time. You can make it in the morning and just set it aside until you are ready to serve.
Conclusion
Creating a beautiful holiday meal does not have to be complicated. This calamari recipe is proof of that. It is simple, fast, and full of incredible flavor.
It is a wonderful way to start a new tradition or add to an existing one. An Italian Christmas Eve Dinner is all about sharing good food and making memories.
So give this recipe a try. I think you will be surprised at how easy it is to bring a taste of an Italian Christmas Eve Dinner Traditional celebration to your own home. Happy cooking!
FAQ
Can I Use Frozen Calamari?
Absolutely. Frozen calamari is a great option and often easier to find. Just make sure you thaw it completely in the refrigerator overnight. Before cooking, pat it very dry with paper towels.
What If I Can’t Find Peppadew Peppers?
No problem at all. A great substitute is jarred roasted red peppers. Just dice them up. They will give a similar sweet and slightly tangy flavor to the sauce.
Is This Recipe Spicy?
It has a very gentle warmth from the pinch of crushed red pepper. It is not overwhelmingly spicy. If you prefer no heat, you can leave it out. If you love spice, feel free to add a little extra.
What Is The Feast Of 7 Fishes Italian Christmas?
The Feast of 7 Fishes Italian Christmas is a wonderful tradition. It is an Italian American celebration on Christmas Eve. Families gather for a large meal with at least seven different seafood dishes.
This calamari recipe is a fantastic dish to include in such a feast. It is a cornerstone of great Italian Christmas food and a beautiful part of the holiday.
Flavorful Calamari with Crunchy Panko Topping
This delightful calamari recipe is a wonderful way to bring a festive Italian touch to your table. It’s quick, flavorful, and impressive, featuring tender calamari in a zesty tomato sauce, topped with crunchy panko breadcrumbs and fresh herbs.
Requirements
Ingredients
Instructions
- To prepare the crunchy panko topping, melt 1 tablespoon of salted butter in a small skillet over medium heat. Add 2 tablespoons of finely diced shallot and cook until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes.
- Stir in 1/3 cup of panko breadcrumbs, toasting them until they turn a light brown color and smell nutty, about 3-5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in 1/4 cup fresh chopped herbs (like parsley, rosemary, oregano). Set aside.
- For the calamari sauce, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a larger skillet over medium heat. Add the remaining sliced shallot and sauté for about 3 minutes until fragrant and soft.
- Pour in 2 tablespoons of chicken broth, stir well, and cook for another 2 minutes to build flavor.
- Add 1 cup of canned cherry tomatoes (or diced tomatoes), 2 tablespoons of capers, 1/4 cup of diced peppadew peppers, and a pinch of crushed red pepper (or aleppo pepper) to the skillet. Stir to combine.
- Simmer the sauce mixture for 12 to 15 minutes, stirring often, until it thickens slightly. Season generously with salt and black pepper, then taste and adjust as needed.
- While the sauce simmers, prepare the calamari. Pat 1 lb of calamari rings very dry with paper towels.
- Once the sauce is ready, add the calamari rings to the pan. Cook for exactly 2 minutes, ensuring not to overcook, as this can make the calamari tough and rubbery.
- Garnish the calamari immediately with the crunchy panko breadcrumb topping and serve hot. Enjoy this festive and flavorful dish as an appetizer or light main course.
Notes
Want to serve this as a small appetizer for your Italian Christmas Eve Dinner? It is a great choice. This recipe will feed about four to six people as a starter.
Serve it with some warm, sliced baguette for dipping into that amazing sauce. A little sparkling white grape juice alongside makes it feel extra special.
You can also make this the main event. For a simple dinner for two, serve it with some garlic and oil pasta. A big green salad on the side completes the meal perfectly.
If you are planning a big Feast of 7 Fishes Italian Christmas, this dish fits right in. It can be one of several seafood courses for a family of four.
My biggest tip is about the calamari itself. Do not overcook it. I know I have said it before, but it is so important for getting that tender texture. Just two minutes is the magic number.
To make your holiday cooking a little less stressful, prepare the panko topping ahead of time. You can make it in the morning and just set it aside until you are ready to serve.
Nutrition
Calories
Sugar
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Carbs
