Charred Baby Octopus Salad Recipe 475

Steps:

• Combine the red wine, garlic, black peppercorns and 2 quarts of water in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
• Dip the octopus in the boiling liquid for 10 seconds and lift it back out. Repeat the process 3 times. Finally, submerge the octopus in the liquid and reduce the heat to a simmer. Cover with a lid and allow the octopus to poach in the liquid until tender, about 90 minutes.
• Heat a large saute pan over medium-high heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Transfer the bacon to a paper towel-lined plate and reserve the fat in the pan.
• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Preheat a grill to high heat. Warm up half of the Tangerine Sauce in a saute pan on medium heat.
• Remove the octopus from the poaching liquid and allow to cool before handling, about 10 minutes. Remove the head and discard. Cut off the tentacles from the body and reserve the body for another use. Dip the tentacles into the reserved bacon fat, and place on the hot grill to char very briefly. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer the tentacles to a large ovenproof saute pan, toss with the heated Tangerine Sauce and place in the oven for 5 minutes.
• To serve, drizzle some of the remaining Tangerine Sauce on each plate. Sprinkle some of the crushed peppercorns and oregano leaves around each plate. Place a tentacle on each plate and sprinkle with some of the bacon. Garnish with the Bull¿s Blood microgreens and micro arugula. Finish with a drizzle of oil and some freshly ground black pepper.
• Reduce the juice and honey in a saute pan over medium heat until syrupy. Allow to cool slightly. Combine in a food processor with the red wine vinegar, mustard, anchovies and chile and process until smooth. While processing, drizzle in enough canola oil to create an emulsified sauce. Season with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• For the octopus: Place cleaned octopus and flakey salt into a stand mixer with the hook attachment. Beat the octopus on the lowest speed until the tentacles curl and can be separated, 15 to 20 minutes; this tenderizes the meat. Remove the octopus from the mixer, rinse under cold running water in a colander, drain and pat dry. Cover and refrigerate until ready for use. For the vinaigrette: Combine and whisk together the vinegar, garlic, Simple Preserved Lemons, Meyer lemon zest and juice in a medium glass mixing bowl. Slowly add and whisk in the oil until completely incorporated and smooth. Add the basil and gently whisk. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and refrigerate until ready for use. For the salad: Preheat the grill to high heat. Separate the tentacles and head of the octopus. Skewer each leg, weaving the legs through the skewers. Using tongs and an oil-blotted paper towel, wipe down the grill grates to clean and create a nonstick surface. Drizzle the octopus with a few tablespoons of olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt and pepper. Place the octopus onto the hot grill and sear. Allow to char around the edges then turn, 3 to 4 minutes per side. The octopus is done when just cooked through yet nicely charred around the edges. Do not overcook or it will be tough. Remove and let rest for 1 to 2 minutes. Cut the octopus tentacles and head into bite-size pieces, and then toss with about 3 tablespoons of the lemon vinaigrette. Set aside. Toss the arugula, white beans, chile, radishes and red onions with the remaining vinaigrette. Add the warm octopus and carefully toss to combine. Season with flaky sea salt and pepper. Serve immediately, garnishing with more preserved lemon, if desired, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil.
• Quarter the lemons and rub with the salt. Combine in a mason or canning jar and press the lemons to release juice. Top with water to cover. Seal and age for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Place cleaned baby octopodes in a bowl with lemon wheels, baby heirloom tomatoes, chilies (either Thai, Serrano, Jalapeño, Shishito). Coat with olive oil, lemon juice, dried oregano, salt, pepper. Let marinate while the grill gets hot, then place the medley in a grill basket in a single layer, and cook over high heat, flipping occasionally, until it all starts to char. Serve the hot octopus medley over lightly dressed mixed lettuces. Serve with extra dressing on the side.

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add 1 smashed garlic clove and cook 30 seconds. Add 3/4 pound cooked octopus tentacles (sliced 1/2 inch thick) and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 teaspoons chopped oregano and 1/2 teaspoon each kosher salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with 1 thinly sliced carrot, 1 thinly sliced celery stalk, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 minced small shallot and 2 tablespoons lemon juice.

Steps:

• Using either a knife or kitchen shears, remove each tentacle from the octopus head. Discard the head, and cut the tentacles into a few pieces. Add octopus to a large Dutch oven or a heavy-duty large pot, and cover with water and salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Cover, and reduce to medium-low to low heat so liquid is simmering. Let octopus cook for 2 to 3 hours until very tender. (To check, remove an octopus tentacle and cut it with a knife.) Remove octopus tentacles from liquid, transfer to a container, and drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over it. Refrigerate until ready to serve. When ready to serve, add tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion. Drizzle with vinegar, remaining 1½ tablespoons olive oil, salt, and pepper, tossing to combine. Cut octopus tentacles into pieces, and grill until slightly charred (just a few minutes per side). If you don't have a grill, warm a large nonstick sauté pan over high heat with ½ tablespoon olive oil and sauté until octopus is warmed and slightly charred, a few minutes per side. Divide salad between the plates and top with octopus. Serve. - Rachel Sugar

Steps:

• Rinse octopuses under cold water, then cover with water by 2 inches in a 5- to 6-quart heavy pot. Bring to a boil with bay leaf, then reduce heat and simmer, covered, until octopuses are tender (tentacles can easily be pierced with a fork), about 45 minutes.
• Transfer octopuses to a colander with tongs, then discard cooking liquid and bay leaf. When cool enough to handle, cut off and discard heads and halve octopuses lengthwise. Cool to room temperature.
• Whisk together oil, lemon juice, sea salt, pepper, and oregano. Toss octopuses with dressing and marinate, stirring occasionally, 20 minutes at room temperature.