Ingredients

• 1 pound whole squid, cleaned
• 1 cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 6 fresh basil leaves, chopped
• Canola oil, for frying
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
• Lemon wedges, for serving
• Smoked jalapeno aioli, for dipping, recipe follows
• Tomato-basil sauce, for dipping, recipe follows

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Instructions

1. Rinse the squid under cool water and pat dry with paper towels. Cut the body of the squid into 1/2-inch rings and trim the tentacles as necessary. Combine the milk, egg, and basil leaves in a bowl; mix with a fork until lightly beaten. Put the prepared calamari in the milk mixture and stick it in the refrigerator while getting everything else set up; it fries better if marinated and chilled for about 15 minutes.
2. Pour about 2 inches of oil in a fryer or large, heavy pot and heat to 375 degrees F. Mix the flour and paprika in a pie dish or plate; season with a fair amount of salt and pepper. Toss the calamari in the seasoned flour to coat. Fry for 1 to 3 minutes or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and salt, to taste. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the fried calamari to paper towels to drain. Serve immediately with lemon wedges and dipping sauces.
3. Smoked Jalapeno Aioli:
4. 1 cup mayonnaise
5. 1 to 2 canned chipotle chile in adobo
6. 1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped
7. 1/2 lemon, juiced
8. 1 tablespoon chopped flat-leaf parsley
9. Pinch salt
10. Combine all ingredients in a food processor and blend for 1 minute to combine. Set aside to allow the flavors to marry. Serve as a dipping sauce with fried calamari.
11. Yield: 1 cup
12. Tomato-Basil Sauce:
13. 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
14. 2 garlic cloves, minced
15. 4 fresh basil leaves, hand-torn
16. 1 (16-ounce) can crushed tomatoes
17. Pinch sugar
18. Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
19. Coat a saucepan with 2 tablespoons of the oil and warm over medium heat. Add the garlic and basil; cook, stirring, until soft. Add the crushed tomatoes and sugar; season with salt and pepper. Simmer the sauce for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in the remaining olive oil. Serve as a dipping sauce with fried calamari.
20. Yield: 2 cups