Braised Octopus With Chickpea Salad And Salsa Verde Recipes

Steps:

• Coarsely chop the parsley leaves and thin, tender stems. Finely chop the shallot and capers.
• Combine the chopped parsley, shallots and capers and the lemon zest in a small bowl; mix well. Stir in the olive oil to reach the desired consistency (ideally just binding the other ingredients together). Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Steps:

• For the octopus: Cut the head off the octopus. Combine the tentacles, parsley, olive oil, oregano, thyme, shallots and garlic in a cast-iron pot over medium-high heat. Cover and gradually bring the mixture to a boil. You don't need to add any liquid to the pot because the octopus will release its own braising liquid. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour.
• Remove the octopus from the heat and let cool in the braising liquid. On a large piece of plastic wrap, lay the tentacles top to tail. Season with salt and cracked pepper. Tightly roll up (it should look like a long sausage). Use more plastic wrap to secure the octopus, if necessary. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to set.
• For the potato salad: Combine the gherkins, capers, oil, mustard, vinegar, potatoes, shallots, chiles, chives and parsley in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, unwrap the octopus and thinly slice. Divide the octopus among plates, drizzle with olive oil and garnish with lemon zest and celery leaves. Serve the potato salad alongside.
• Cook's Note: The octopus head can be reserved and then sliced and eaten with the rest of the dish.

Steps:

• In a blender combine the garlic, shallot, poblano, parsley, cilantro, oil, and lemon juice. Blend until smooth. Season with the salt and pepper.
• Serve over grilled vegetables, rice or thin out with olive oil and serve as a salad dressing.

Steps:

• Toss together all ingredients with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl and let stand 10 minutes to allow flavors to develop.