Picture yourself savoring the sun-drenched flavors of the Mediterranean, right at your dining table. This Ultimate Mediterranean Octopus Dinner Recipe is a delightful journey for your taste buds, featuring tender octopus infused with aromatic herbs, zesty citrus, and rich olive oil. It’s a dish that’s both simple and sophisticated, perfect for impressing guests or treating yourself to a gourmet experience at home. With each bite, you’ll be transported to a coastal paradise, enjoying a meal that’s as satisfying as it is flavorful.
Steps
- Prepare all the ingredients you will need for the recipe.
- In a saucepan, combine chopped onion, garlic, bay leaf, paprika, salt, and a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook over medium-high heat for about 5 minutes until the onions begin to soften, then add white wine to form the braising liquid and bring it to a simmer.
- Place the octopus into the saucepan with the braising liquid, ensuring it is well-coated. Cover the saucepan, lower the heat, and let it simmer for 20 minutes before turning the octopus over. Continue simmering for another 40 to 45 minutes until the octopus is tender.
- Remove the saucepan from heat and transfer the octopus to a large bowl. Pour the braising liquid over the octopus and place the bowl over a bowl of ice water to cool to room temperature.
- Once cooled, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the octopus for at least 2 hours, or overnight, to thoroughly chill.
- After chilling, transfer the octopus to a work surface. Use paper towels to pat it dry and remove as much of the purple skin as desired, then cut the octopus into 3 or 4 serving pieces and brush them with olive oil.
- Transfer the remaining braising liquid to a saucepan, bring it to a boil, then remove from heat. Strain out any solids and transfer the liquid to a mixing bowl to cool for about 10 minutes. Stir in lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, and a pinch of cayenne pepper to make the sauce.
- Preheat a grill pan or outdoor grill to high heat. Grill the octopus pieces for 3 to 4 minutes on each side until the flesh is seared and caramelized, then transfer to a serving platter.
- Slice the octopus into thick diagonal pieces and place them on a serving dish. Spoon the braising liquid mixture over the top and add a sprinkle of cayenne pepper if desired.
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion, roughly chopped
- 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and crushed
- 1 large bay leaf
- 1 ½ teaspoons of smoked Spanish paprika
- 1 ½ teaspoons of kosher salt
- 1 tablespoon of olive oil
- ½ cup of white wine
- 1 piece of Spanish octopus, weighing 1 pound
- 2 tablespoons of olive oil
- ? cup of the braising liquid
- 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon of extra-virgin olive oil
- Salt to taste
- A pinch of cayenne pepper to taste
Nutritional Values
Calories: 1026 | Total Fat: 60g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 218mg | Sodium: 4092mg | Total Carbohydrate: 30g | Dietary Fiber: 4g | Total Sugars: 6g | Protein: 70g | Vitamin C: 44mg | Calcium: 304mg | Iron: 26mg | Potassium: 1978mg
FAQ
- How long does it take to prepare Spanish octopus?
- The total preparation time for Spanish octopus is approximately 3 hours and 40 minutes.
- What is the serving size for the Spanish octopus recipe?
- The recipe yields 2 servings.
- Can I prepare the octopus in advance?
- Yes, after cooking, the octopus can be chilled in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours or overnight, making it convenient to prepare in advance.
- What are some serving suggestions for Spanish octopus?
- Braised octopus is delicious when served with crusty roasted potatoes, and freshly chopped Italian parsley can enhance the sauce.
- How should I store any leftovers of the Spanish octopus?
- Leftovers should be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. It’s best to consume them within a couple of days for optimal freshness.
- What are the nutritional highlights of this dish?
- Each serving of Spanish octopus contains approximately 513 calories, 30g of fat, 15g of carbohydrates, and 35g of protein.
Tips
- To enhance the flavor of the serving sauce, consider adding freshly chopped Italian parsley to taste. This adds a fresh, herbal note that complements the richness of the octopus.
- For a more convenient preparation, chill the cooked octopus in the refrigerator for at least two hours or overnight. This will ensure the octopus is thoroughly chilled and easier to handle when slicing and grilling.
- When grilling the octopus, ensure the grill pan or outdoor grill is preheated to high heat. This helps achieve a nicely seared and almost charred exterior, enhancing the texture and flavor of the dish.
- Serve the braised octopus with crusty roasted potatoes for a complete meal. The potatoes provide a satisfying crunch and complement the tender, flavorful octopus.
Equipment
- Grill pan or outdoor grill
- Saucepan
- Mixing bowl
- Large bowl
- Strainer or sieve
- Plastic wrap
