Sauteed Calamari With Tomatoes Basil Raisins And Pine Nuts Recipes

Steps:

• Bring a small pot of water to a boil and add couscous. Cook for 1 minute, then drain.
• Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat olive oil. Add shallots and rosemary and sauté for about 2 minutes, until shallots are golden. Add garlic, pine nuts, red pepper flakes and salt and sauté for 2 minutes.
• Add tomatoes and bring to a fast simmer. Cook for 6 minutes. Add squid and caperberries and cook for about 2 minutes, until squid is just opaque. Stir in the spinach and couscous (spinach will wilt). Season with more salt and serve garnished with scallion.

Steps:

• To make the sauce: Pour the oil into a medium size saucepan, add the onion, a pinch of salt and pepper and saute at medium to medium-high heat until the onion becomes golden and tender and you can see through it. Add the pine nuts, the raisins and the olives, (for a tangy taste, add the capers). Saute for about 3 more minutes). Add the can of tomatoes (add about 1/2 can of water to thin the sauce for cooking) and cook at medium heat for about at least 1 hour, stirring occasionally. Lastly, add the basil leaves for a more fresh and tasty flavor.
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• To make the stuffing: in a medium bowl, beat the eggs and gradually add the bread crumbs, raisins, pine nuts, tentacles and cheese. Mix to a soft consistency. Stuff squid loosely with the mixture and secure opening with a small skewer or toothpick. Place a single layer of squid in a medium baking dish (9 by 13-inches). Top with the sauce. Sprinkle a little grated romano, some dry seasoned bread crumbs, a pinch of salt and pepper over the sauce, then drizzle with some olive oil. Cover pan with aluminum foil and bake for about 45 minutes or until tender.

Steps:

• Place golden raisins in a small bowl, and cover with 3/4 cup warm water; set aside. Remove any tough stems from spinach, and wash thoroughly. Set aside.
• Place a wide, 6-quart saucepot over medium-high heat, and add olive oil. Add garlic, and saute for 1 minute. Add pine nuts. Cook, stirring constantly, until golden brown, about 1 minute. Drain the reserved raisins, and add them to pan. Add spinach, and season with salt and pepper to taste. Cook, stirring constantly, just until spinach has wilted, 3 to 4 minutes. Serve immediately.