Food & Cooking Recipes Ingredients Seafood Recipes Grilled Calamari 3.2 (91) Yield: 4 appetizer servings The key to preparing calamari is to either cook it really fast or really slow; anything in between will leave you with a chewy texture. Serve this in a big bowl as part of an antipasti spread or as individual servings.From the book Lucinda's Rustic Italian Kitchen, by Lucinda Scala Quinn (Wiley). Directions In a serving bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, and salt. Stir in the garlic and whole oregano sprigs. Heat a grill pan over the high heat. (Alternatively, you can cook the squid on the grill.) When very hot, add the squid and char each side for 1 minute. Remove from the pan and slice crosswise into 1/4-inch rings, including the tendrils. Add the squid to the lemon sauce. Crack freshly ground pepper over and serve immediately.