Crispy Squid with Garlic Mayonnaise

Name: Crispy Squid with Garlic Mayonnaise
Prep time: P0Y0M0DT0H15M0.000S
Cook time: P0Y0M0DT0H10M0.000S
Total time: P0Y0M0DT0H25M0.000S
Yield: 2 servings
Ingredients: About 9 ounces frozen squid (tubes and tentacles) to give about 7 ounces unfrozen; 1 tablespoon cornstarch; 2 tablespoons semolina; 1 teaspoon crab boil seasoning (recommended: Old Bay) or use salt and paprika; 1 cup groundnut oil or as needed, depending on the size of pan; Garlic Mayonnaise, recipe follows; 1/4 clove garlic; 4 tablespoons best quality, preferably organic, mayonnaise

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Level: Easy
Total: 25 min

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 10 min

Yield: 2 servings

Level: Easy
Total: 25 min

Prep: 15 min
Cook: 10 min

Yield: 2 servings

Ingredients

About 9 ounces frozen squid (tubes and tentacles) to give about 7 ounces unfrozen

1 tablespoon cornstarch

2 tablespoons semolina

1 teaspoon crab boil seasoning (recommended: Old Bay) or use salt and paprika

1 cup groundnut oil or as needed, depending on the size of pan

Garlic Mayonnaise, recipe follows

Garlic Mayonnaise:

1/4 clove garlic

4 tablespoons best quality, preferably organic, mayonnaise

Directions

Strange though it might sound to say it, this is another of my supper-standbys. I keep the frozen squid in the deep-freeze, taking it out in the morning at breakfast to let it thaw in time for the evening's meal. I prefer to eat a massive amount of this, and nothing else (I can eat the whole lot myself) rather than have it more meanly as a starter unless, in a life outside of this chapter's parameters, I'm expecting company, in which case it would happily stretch to 4 people, ready to dunk each crisp piece of squid into the garlic mayonnaise over pre-dinner drinks.
I feel the ghost of Elizabeth David spitting at my calling this 'crispy' squid, but that's what I habitually call it at home, and I beg forgiveness of the pedants, with whom I have some sympathy.
Heat the oil in a smallish saucepan and while it's left to heat up cut the thawed squid into 1/2-inch rings.
Put the cornstarch, semolina and seasoning into a plastic freezer bag. Add the squid rings and tentacles and then toss to coat.
When the oil is hot enough, which is when it sizzles up fiercely when you drop in a small cube of bread, fry the squid in batches to get the most golden crunchiness. A couple of minutes per batch is all you should need