Braised Octopus And Tangy Potato Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Set the saucepan over low heat. Pour in 6 tablespoons of the olive oil. Scatter the onion in the bottom of the pan and add the garlic. Nestle the octopus on top of the onions. Scatter the olives over the octopus. Cover and let the octopus stew in its own juices for 1 hour.
• Uncover the octopus, there should be a lot of liquid from the octopus in the pan. Cover and continue to stew over low heat until the octopus is very tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes more, depending on the size of the octopus. To test for doneness, stick a fork in the thickest part of the octopus, it is done if the fork slides out easily.
• Remove the octopus from the pot and let cool slightly. Cut the octopus into 3/4-inch chunks, skin and all. Put the octopus chunks in the skillet and pour in the contents of the saucepan as well. Taste the sauce for salt (the octopus can be very salty) and add the salt, if needed. Get the sauce simmering rapidly over medium heat and stir in the parsley. You should have 2 cups or so of braising juices in the skillet. If there's much more than that, boil to reduce the sauce

Steps:

• For the octopus:.
• Cut the head off the octopus. Combine the tentacles, parsley, olive oil, oregano, thyme, shallots and garlic in a cast-iron pot over medium-high heat. Cover and gradually bring the mixture to a boil. You don't need to add any liquid to the pot because the octopus will release its own braising liquid. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour.
• Remove the octopus from the heat and let cool in the braising liquid. On a large piece of plastic wrap, lay the tentacles top to tail. Season with salt and cracked pepper. Tightly roll up (it should look like a long sausage). Use more plastic wrap to secure the octopus, if necessary. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to set.
• For the potato salad:.
• Combine the gherkins, capers, oil, mustard, vinegar, potatoes, shallots, chiles, chives and parsley in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, unwrap the octopus and thinly slice. Divide the octopus among plates, drizzle with olive oil and garnish with lemon zest and celery leaves. Serve the potato salad alongside.
• Cook's Note:.
• The octopus head can be reserved and then sliced and eaten with the rest of the dish.

Steps:

• For the octopus: Fill a large pot about 2/3 full with water and bring to a boil. Blanch the octopus by placing it in the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove and set aside.
• Drain the water or in another large pot, add the vinegar, wine, cinnamon, star anise, peppercorns, fennel seeds, bay leaf and a few sprigs each fresh parsley and thyme and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the octopus. Cover and cook until fork-tender, about 30 minutes.
• Prior to serving, if desired, heat a grill to high heat and grill the octopus pieces for texture until slightly charred and crisp on the outside.
• For the chickpea salad: Reheat the chickpeas in a medium pot over medium heat and keep warm. Prior to serving, remove from the heat and toss with the red onion, poblano, lemon zest and juice, lime juice, orange zest and juice, olive oil, romaine, arugula and chopped basil.
• For the salsa verde: Roughly chop the basil, parsley and garlic and add to a small food processor or blender. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while pulsing until the ingredients are well combined and have a smooth consistency that is not too liquid. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve the salsa verde over the chickpea salad and octopus.

Steps:

• Rinse the octopus well under cold water and clean the sac, making sure to get rid of any grit. Flip the octopus over and look for the beak (the dark, hard, crusty shell-like bit) and scoop out with a paring knife. Add the beak and octopus to a large pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, and then lower to medium-high heat and cook until the octopus is fork tender, about 40 minutes. Drain and let cool, and then cut into bite-size pieces. Meanwhile, peel your potatoes, cut into bite-size pieces and cover with cold water in another pot. Bring to a boil and cook until tender. Combine the octopus, potatoes, olive oil and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Add the black olives and parsley to finish.

Steps:

• Place the octopus, wine cork, bay leaves, 2 teaspoons of salt and pepper in a large pot and cover generously with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat slightly and simmer vigorously until the octopus is tender but firm, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours, skimming the liquid as necessary. Drain and let cool.
• Meanwhile, place the potatoes in a pot and cover with cold water. Bring to a boil over high heat. Lower the heat, cover and simmer until just tender, about 35 minutes. Drain and let cool. Peel and cut into 1-inch cubes.
• Cut the octopus tentacles from the head and slice into 1-inch pieces. Thinly slice the meat from the head. Toss the octopus and potatoes together in a bowl. Add the onion, olives, olive oil and vinegar and toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley and serve.