Octopus And Potato Salad Recipes

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:

• 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:

• 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.