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Crispy marinated baby octopus

Crispy marinated baby octopus

This crispy marinated baby octopus recipe features tender octopus simmered in a flavorful Mediterranean marinade.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Marinating Time 1 day
Total Time 1 day 50 minutes
Course Mains, Starter
Cuisine Mediterranean, Western
Servings 6 servings
Calories 394 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • colander
  • BBQ or large skillet
  • mixing bowl
  • Tongs

Ingredients
  

Braising liquid

  • 4 litres water
  • 1 whole onion halved, skin on
  • 6 cloves garlic smashed
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns or ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 2 teaspoon cooking salt kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
  • 3 stems parsley with leaves
  • 2 leaves bay leaves fresh or dried

Marinade

  • 0.5 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 cloves garlic very finely minced
  • 2 teaspoon lemon zest from one large lemon
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried red chilli flakes optional
  • 0.5 teaspoon cooking/kosher salt
  • 0.5 teaspoon black pepper

Cooking & serving

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil for BBQ or large skillet
  • 2 teaspoon parsley finely chopped, optional
  • 1 large red chilli finely sliced, optional
  • lemon wedges highly recommended

Baby octopus

  • 2 kg raw baby octopus rinsed

Instructions
 

Braising

  • Put all the braising liquid ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Add octopus, bring back up to the boil, then reduce the heat to low so the water is simmering very gently.
  • Scoop off and discard scum off the surface when it accumulates.
  • Braise for 1 hour until tender, first checking at the 45 minute mark.
  • Drain octopus in a colander and pick out and discard the bay leaves and onion.

Marinating

  • Mix marinade ingredients in a bowl.
  • Pour over the octopus while still hot, toss, and allow to fully cool.
  • Cover with cling wrap and then marinate overnight in the fridge.

Cooking

  • Heat a BBQ hot plate on medium high until hot.
  • Spread oil across the hot plate.
  • Transfer octopus onto the BBQ and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, rotating as needed.

Serving

  • Pile octopus on a plate. Sprinkle with parsley and chilli, add lemon wedges.
  • Serve with bread for mopping.

Notes

Baby octopus is sold fresh and frozen. Don't shortcut marinating; minimum 12 hours is best for maximum flavor infusion.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 394kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 50gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 1777mgPotassium: 1241mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 609IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 218mgIron: 18mg
Keyword baby octopus, Crispy marinated baby octopus, octopus recipe
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