Often when we're talking about cooking this seafood delicacy, many folks give up at the mere mention of the word octopus. It sounds so difficult and discouraging to prepare that there's no sense in even trying. But the truth is there are thousands of ways of preparing a tender octopus. And they're not even that hard to work with.
Every culture has its own tricks for preparing this marine animal. For example, in Italy they put corks in the water that the octopus is boiling in. Others tenderize the cephalopod like a steak to make it juicier.
But there are several facts that shouldn't be ignored. The octopus, as well as calamari, belong to the cephalopod class. There is one fundamental characteristic for them - the longer they are cooked, the tougher they become. Because of this, the number of ways of preparation as limited to just several.
An octopus can be cooked on the grill, a hot frying pan, etc. for a maximum of 2 to 3 min. It can also be boiled but it takes a long time. It takes an average of 40 to 50 min. per 2 lb (1 kg) of meat. But if the meat is over-boiled it becomes dry and tasteless.
One option for cooking octopus requires 3 separate pots of boiling water. Put the octopus for 15 seconds in the 1st pot, then transfer it for 15 seconds in the 2nd and a final 15 in the 3rd pot. However, this option only works for small octopuses.
You can boil a large octopus in a little bit of water. On average it takes about 40 min. The boiled octopus can then be breaded, fried or eaten with spices.
An octopus boiled for 5 min. ends up tougher. That's how they prepare octopus for sushi and salads.
Tender Octopus on the Grill
Ingredients: 1 octopus, 5 to 6 garlic cloves, 1 cup white wine, 1 bunch of celery, salt, black pepper.
For frying: 2 tablespoons olive oil, 2 tablespoons chives, 1 tablespoon garlic.
Preparation: Cut the octopus in 2. Put one part in a pot with 1 1/5 cups boiling water, some garlic and celery. Let it boil for 40 min.
Put the 2nd part in 4/5 cup boiling water, 1 cup of wine, celery and garlic. Boil 40 min.
Heat the olive oil in a deep pan. Add the garlic and chives and braise for about 2 min. Add the boiled octopus. Cook on both sides for a period of 3 to 4 min. Season with salt and black pepper. Eat while still warm.
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