My first food love! And one of the things that lured me to the kitchen when I was a boy. Get yourself a nice 2-3lb octopus from the market. Remove the beak by just pinching underneath it and it will pop right out. At this point you can leave it whole or use some kitchen shears or a knife to cut it in half. Get a large pot with water going with a half bottle of red wine and two or three bay leaves and bring to a simmer. Gently lower the octopus into the pot, and let it simmer for about 30-45 minutes. (30 for a 2 pounder, 45 or so for a 3 pounder) Strain into a colander and let it cool a little until you can handle it. At this point I like to cut the “skin” off the legs. Use the video as your guide on how I do it. Now the octopus is cooked. You can actually eat it just like this. But searing or charring on the grill will put an amazing crisp to the flesh and add to the already incredible mouth feel. If you sear in a pan, get it HOT, put a couple table spoons of olive oil in the pan before searing. If you’re grilling, just throw it on a nice hot grill. I’d say 3 minutes a side. You’re really just looking for a nice golden color, but be careful you don’t over cook it. Quick and hot and golden color. Zest one lemon. Chop fresh oregano. Cut legs so they are individual legs. Platter them. Dress with a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil, squeeze the fresh lemon in, salt and pepper, the oregano and finish with the lemon zest. I like to toast some sourdough bread to dunk and mop up the “zumi”, the juice! Enjoy and let me know how it turns out!
I think I was about 8 or 9 years old we were at a restaurant in Tarpon Springs Florida called Paul’s Shrimp House my dad ordered a broiled octopus for an appetizer I remember when it hit the table my eyes got wide I mean it looked like an octopus and when I put that
First bite in my mouth it happened I fell in love immediately and forever in love fresh like the ocean simple staky a little crisp on the outside then meaty and divine I looked up at my dad and said can I order another one and he said honey you can order as many as
You want and I did that octopus is what made me want to get in the kitchen and try cooking I wanted to learn how to make it myself and so when we got back from vacation my dad found some octopus at a seafood place and brought it home
And that’s when it all started and it hasn’t stopped since