Fried Calamari with Creole Olive Salad

• 1 pound calamari, thawed
• 1 cup masa flour
• 1 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons Essence, recipe followscup buttermilk
• 1 cup black olives, sliced
• 1 cup large green stuffed olives. sliced
• 2 tablespoons minced shallots
• 2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 2 tablespoons small diced celery
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• 1 1/2 teaspoons fine ground black pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper
• Parmesan Reggiano
• 2 1/2 tablespoons paprika
• 2 tablespoons salt
• 2 tablespoons garlic powder
• 1 tablespoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon onion powder
• 1 tablespoon cayenne pepper
• 1 tablespoon dried leaf oregano
• 1 tablespoon dried thyme

1. Marinate the cut calamari in the buttermilk and 1/4 cup of the creole spice, allow to sit for 20 minutes.
2. Combine the masa and flour together with the remaining creole spice.
3. For olive salad, combine all the ingredients together and set aside.
4. Dredge the marinated calamari in the flour mixture and sift to remove any excess.
5. Place dredged calamari in the fryer basket and deep fry until slightly golden in color, about 2 to 3 minutes.
6. Stir constantly to prevent from sticking together.
7. Season with creole seasoning, and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese and top with the olive salad.
8. Combine all ingredients thoroughly and store in an airtight jar or container.
9. Yield: about 2/3 cup
10. Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch.
11. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.

calamari, flour, flour, buttermilk, black olives, green stuffed olives, shallots, garlic, celery, parsley, ground black pepper, olive oil, salt, parmesan reggiano, paprika, salt, garlic, black pepper, onion powder, cayenne pepper, dried leaf oregano, thyme

Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/fried-calamari-with-creole-olive-salad-recipe.html (may not work)