Gilroy Garlic Festival Red Sauce for Calamari or Shrimp
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 55 minutes
Servings: 6
Description: This savory sauce, inspired by the flavors of the Gilroy Garlic Festival, is a delightful accompaniment to either calamari or shrimp. Bursting with the robust essence of garlic and other aromatic ingredients, it’s a perfect complement to hot cooked pasta.
Ingredients:
- 1 pound tomatoes
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 celery stalk, chopped
- 1 yellow onion, chopped
- 3 cloves fresh garlic
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1/3 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup dry sherry
- 1/4 cup fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tablespoon dried basil
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
- 1 teaspoon fresh oregano, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1 lemon, juiced
- Calamari or shrimp, cleaned and cut into pieces
Instructions:
-
Prepare the Sauce:
- Begin by mashing the tomatoes with a potato masher until smooth. Set aside.
- In a medium saucepan, heat the extra virgin olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped green bell pepper, celery, onion, and garlic cloves. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent.
- Add the mashed tomatoes to the saucepan and simmer for about 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste. If desired, add fresh basil, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and oregano to enhance the flavor.
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Prepare the Calamari or Shrimp:
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over high heat. Be cautious not to overheat the oil, as this can cause the garlic to burn.
- Carefully add the white wine, sherry, and crushed garlic to the skillet, sautéing the garlic until fragrant. Exercise caution when adding alcohol to a hot pan to avoid flare-ups.
- Squeeze the lemon juice into the skillet and add the lemon rind for extra flavor.
- In a separate bowl, toss the calamari or shrimp pieces with the chopped fresh basil, dried basil, crushed red pepper flakes, and oregano.
- Add the seasoned calamari or shrimp to the skillet and sauté over high heat for approximately 4 minutes, or until cooked through. Take care not to overcook, as this can result in tough, chewy seafood.
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Serve:
- Once the calamari or shrimp is cooked to perfection, pour the hot sauce over the seafood and stir gently to coat.
- Serve the garlic-infused calamari or shrimp over hot, cooked pasta for a delicious and satisfying meal.
- Alternatively, the sauce can be served alone as a flavorful accompaniment to your favorite seafood dishes.
Nutritional Information (Per Serving):
- Calories: 275.4
- Fat Content: 15.5g
- Saturated Fat Content: 2.3g
- Cholesterol Content: 176.2mg
- Sodium Content: 47.1mg
- Carbohydrate Content: 10.9g
- Fiber Content: 1.6g
- Sugar Content: 3.8g
- Protein Content: 13g
Recipe Notes: This versatile sauce can also be used with other seafood options, such as shrimp or even fish fillets. Adjust the cooking time accordingly based on the thickness of the seafood. Experiment with different herbs and spices to customize the flavor to your liking. Enjoy this savory dish inspired by the renowned Gilroy Garlic Festival!
