Marinated Octopus - Tapas
I did a seafood course a few months ago and with the left over Octopus, I marinated it raw and like squid I imagined it would tenderise and cook in the oil and lemon - no chance it was as tough as old boots - so I went to the local fish monger who informed me that you have to boil it first - chefs make mistakes too !!!
Preparation time: 20 minutes or so Quantity: Serves 4 - 8 Cooking time: 30 minutes
Ingredients
1 octopus - small approx. 8 - 10 oz
2 bay leaves
100 ml olive oil
1 fresh lemon or lime - juiced
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1 tablespoon parsley
seasoning
Method
- Prepare the octopus - cut of tentacles from the top where they all join, throw away what’s left above them, remove the innards, peel away any black skin
- What’s left should be the round, bag like octopus body - cleaned and the tentacles all joined together - cleaned with excess black skin removed (leave some or all if you want)
- Chop all the washed octopus in to chunks the size of the top of your thumb
- Boil in salted water with the bay leaves until tender, bite a piece to see (approx. 20 - 40 minutes)
- Drain and rinse the octopus under cold water to cool
- Place in a bowl with the rest of the ingredients
- Mix and leave to marinate / flavour for minimum 20 minutes and serve
- Will keep in the fridge for a few days