Mediterranean Octopus Recipes

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; add 1 smashed garlic clove and cook 30 seconds. Add 3/4 pound cooked octopus tentacles (sliced 1/2 inch thick) and cook, stirring occasionally, until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in 2 teaspoons chopped oregano and 1/2 teaspoon each kosher salt and pepper. Transfer to a large bowl and toss with 1 thinly sliced carrot, 1 thinly sliced celery stalk, 1 diced red bell pepper, 1 minced small shallot and 2 tablespoons lemon juice.

Steps:

• Combine octopus, bay leaf, thyme, peppercorns, 1 teaspoon salt, garlic and 1 lemon, cut in half, in saucepan along with water to cover. Turn heat to medium, cover, and bring to boil. Adjust heat so that liquid simmers slowly, and cook until octopus is tender, for 30 to 90 minutes, depending on whether you're using two smaller octopuses or 1 larger one (check for doneness with point of sharp knife). Drain, discarding everything but octopus. (You can prepare this 24 hours in advance up to this point; cover, and refrigerate octopus.) Set aside.
• Start charcoal or wood fire, or preheat gas grill; fire should be quite hot. Grill rack about 4 inches from heat source. Cut octopus into large serving pieces, brush it with half the olive oil, and sprinkle it with salt and pepper. Grill it quickly until outside browns but inside is not dried out. Cut remaining lemon into wedges.
• Brush octopus with remaining olive oil. Serve with lemon wedges, hot or at room temperature, garnished with parsley.

Steps:

• Bring a large pan of water to a simmer.
• Simmer octopus, bay leaves, garlic and peppercorns in a large covered pan of water for about an hour or until tender.
• Remove octopus and rinse in cold water. Cut in half and peel outer skin by hand. Cut into 1/2 inch pieces and place in a large bowl.
• Add parsley, onion, olive oil and juice of half a lemon or more, to taste. Season with salt and pepper.
• Mix well, cover chillt for at least an hour. Serve room temperature or cool, after resting outside of the fridge for at least half an hour. Can be eaten as is served with toothpicks as an appetizer, or over spring greens as a salad (if eating as salad, double the dressing).