Octopus Veracruza Food

BRAISED OCTOPUS

Steps:

• Set the saucepan over low heat. Pour in 6 tablespoons of the olive oil. Scatter the onion in the bottom of the pan and add the garlic. Nestle the octopus on top of the onions. Scatter the olives over the octopus. Cover and let the octopus stew in its own juices for 1 hour.
• Uncover the octopus, there should be a lot of liquid from the octopus in the pan. Cover and continue to stew over low heat until the octopus is very tender, about 45 minutes to 1 hour and 15 minutes more, depending on the size of the octopus. To test for doneness, stick a fork in the thickest part of the octopus, it is done if the fork slides out easily.
• Remove the octopus from the pot and let cool slightly. Cut the octopus into 3/4-inch chunks, skin and all. Put the octopus chunks in the skillet and pour in the contents of the saucepan as well. Taste the sauce for salt (the octopus can be very salty) and add the salt, if needed. Get the sauce simmering rapidly over medium heat and stir in the parsley. You should have 2 cups or so of braising juices in the skillet. If there's much more than that, boil to reduce the sauce

OCTOPUS WITH SPICY TOMATO LINGUINE

Steps:

• On a flat work surface or cutting board, pound the whole octopus using a skillet, a meat tenderizer, or other heavy object. Pounding will help tenderize the octopus flesh. Then, using kitchen shears or a sharp knife, cut and remove the tentacles of the octopus, making sure to cut up and around the webbing. Discard the octopus head. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the octopus tentacles, reduce the heat, and simmer for 1 hour. Check the octopus with a fork to check for doneness. Once the octopus is tender, drain and cut the tentacles into 1 1/2 to 2-inch pieces and set aside.
• In a large deep skillet, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and red pepper flakes. Cook for about 4 minutes, or until the mixture is fragrant. Add the crushed tomatoes and salt, and then allow the sauce to simmer for 10 to 15 minutes. Stir in the olives, and check if more salt is needed. When the octopus is ready, add to the sauce.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water until it is al dente. Drain and place in a large bowl. Add the octopus and sauce to bowl and toss together. Top the pasta with fresh parsley and serve.

OCTOPUS TOSTADA

Steps:

• For the octopus: Bring 12 quarts of salted water and the wine to a boil. Add the basil, thyme, peppercorns, chiles, cloves, star anise and octopuses. Boil for 20 minutes.
• Shock the octopuses in an ice water bath. Return to the boiling liquid for 15 minutes. Shock again. Peel and chop the octopuses.
• For the vegetables: Mix the tomatoes, cucumbers, radishes, bell peppers, cilantro and red onions in a bowl. Dress with lemon juice to taste and season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon some of the vegetables into the bottom of a doubled tostada. Spoon some of the octopus mixture on top.

OCTOPUS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Squeeze in 1 lemon and add the rinds to the water. Holding the octopus with tongs, dip the octopus into the boiling water 3 or 4 times, until the tentacles begin to firm and curl. Then, submerge the octopus in the water and cook for 40 minutes, uncovered.
• In a large bowl, mix the oregano, vinegar, oil, and salt together. Remove the octopus from the boiling water, place it into the oregano mixture, and let lightly marinate for a few minutes.
• Heat the grill to medium high. Grill the octopus until browned and crisped on the edges, turning every 5 minutes for 15 minutes. Remove from the grill, place on a platter, and cut into pieces. Squeeze the lemon over the octopus and sprinkled with some dried oregano.