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1
Prepare the calamari: Rinse the bodies and set aside.
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2
Dice the tentacles and the shrimp into 1/4-to-1/2-inch pieces.
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3
Beat the egg in a large bowl.
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4
Add the diced calamari tentacles and shrimp, the breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, basil, lemon zest and juice, anchovies and garlic.
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5
Add 3 tablespoons olive oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste and mix until combined.
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6
Using your fingers, stuff each calamari body about two-thirds full with the shrimp-breadcrumb mixture and close with a toothpick.
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7
Heat the remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil in a wide pot over medium-high heat.
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8
Sear the calamari in batches until browned and opaque on both sides, 8 to 10 minutes, and transfer to a plate.
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9
Make the sauce: Lower the heat, add the garlic and red pepper flakes to the pot and cook, stirring, 1 to 2 minutes.
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10
Season with salt, then add the wine and scrape up any browned bits from the pot.
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11
Boil until the wine is almost evaporated, then crush the tomatoes into the pot with your hands and add the juices.
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12
Add 1 cup water, 3/4 teaspoon salt and the basil stalks.
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13
Arrange the calamari in a single layer in the pot.
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14
Bring to a simmer, cover and cook until the calamari are tender, about 40 minutes.
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15
Uncover and cook until the sauce thickens, 10 to 15 more minutes.
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16
Meanwhile, make the polenta: Place 4 1/2 cups cold water in a separate pot over low heat.
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17
Add 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 teaspoon salt and the bay leaf.
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18
Whisk in the polenta in a slow, steady stream, then increase the heat to medium and bring to a boil, whisking frequently.
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19
Reduce the heat and cook at a bare simmer, stirring with a wooden spoon, until the polenta is thick and pulls away from the sides of the pot, about 25 minutes.
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20
Remove from the heat and stir in the butter and cheese.
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21
Divide the polenta among shallow bowls.
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22
Discard the toothpicks and place the calamari on top of the polenta.
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23
Remove the basil stalks and spoon the sauce over the dish.
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24
Garnish with the chopped basil and more parmesan.
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25
Photograph by Con Poulos
