Calamari with Creamy Puttanesca Sauce

calamari with creamy puttanesca sauce

As far as I know this is an Italian-inspired original recipe I've developed. A quick Google search doesn't come up with an obvious match. Many of the times I think I've created a unique recipe, I've found out that someone else has already thought of it. Its hard to be original in this post-modern food era, but it doesn't mean it isn't possible. Puttanesca, literally translates from Italian to mean "whore-sauce" and typically is a red sauce that contains olives and capers. For those of you that are fellow pseudo-vegetarians (eat fish and/or wild game) or those of you who are carnivores, I think you will enjoy this recipe. Especially if you like salty and savory dishes. The creaminess of this recipe might prove too rich for some, but for many it will be a decadent dinner to enjoy every once-in-a-while.

Serves: 4
Prep Time: 30 min
Cook Time: ~45 min-1 hr

Ingredients:

1lb linguini pasta, cooked
1lb small squid (calamari), cut into small rings
1-2 Tbsp olive oil
4-5 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup onions or shallots, finely chopped
1/4 cup white wine
2 cups heavy cream
1 cup freshly-grated Parmesan cheese
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
2-3 Tbsp kalmata olives, coarsely chopped
2-3 Tbsp capers

Directions:

• place sliced calamari into bowl with heavy cream and Parmesan for 10-20 min
• cook linguini, keep warm and set aside
• lightly saute garlic and onions
• add white wine and reduce until lightly thickened
• add in cream and calamari, cook until nicely thickened into white sauce (or desired consistency), ~30min
• with about 10-15 minutes remaining add in basil, olives and capers
• add salt and pepper to taste
• serve atop liguini

Potential Alternatives:

• try making as a vegetarian dish by subtracting squid with other vegetables (broccoli, roasted eggplant, spinach, etc.)
• make with the traditional red puttanesca sauce
• make it even more rich (read as less healthy) by making battered and fried squid 
• sear or grill calamari steak and top with creamy puttanesca sauce