Calamari Salad

Photo: flickr user zoyachubby

Ingredients

1/2 cup olive oil, divided

3 pounds squid, cleaned, patted dry and cut into rings

6 tablespoons lemon juice

1 1/2 teaspoons lemon zest, grated

3 cloves garlic, minced

2 green onions, minced

1 tablespoon fennel seed, crushed

1 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon freshly ground pepper

2 avocados, peeled and cut into cubes

3 cups fresh fennel, julienned

Preparation

Place 1/4 cup oil in a large, heavy skillet and heat over medium-high heat. Add squid and saute quickly, 3 to 5 minutes, stirring constantly. (Do not overcook or squid will become tough.)

Combine lemon juice and zest in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in remaining 1/4 cup oil until thoroughly blended. Stir in garlic, onions, fennel seed, pepper and squid. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

One hour before serving, remove salad from refrigerator. When ready to serve, add avocado and mound salad in the center of a large platter. Arrange fennel around salad in a spoke pattern. Serve immediately.