Fried Calamari with Homemade Garlic Aioli

Steps

1. Finely mince the garlic and mash into a paste in a mortar with a pestle.
2. Add the egg yolk, lemon juice, and a pinch of sea salt to the garlic paste, then mix.
3. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while continuously mixing until it reaches a mayonnaise-like consistency to make the aioli. Cover and refrigerate.
4. In a bowl, mix the flour, sea salt, dried parsley, and dried thyme to make the batter mixture.
5. Rinse the squid tubes under cold water, pat dry, and cut into 1/4-inch thick rings.
6. Add the squid rings and flour mixture to a plastic bag and toss until the rings are well coated.
7. Heat sunflower oil in a frying pan over medium-high heat.
8. Fry the squid rings in batches, about 3 minutes per side, until golden. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
9. Plate the fried calamari with the garlic aioli on the side, and garnish with fresh parsley.