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Wednesday, March 09, 2011

octopus, pulpo, tako, polýpous, pugita, bläckfisk, poulpe, blekksprut, krake


No matter how you say it or how you pronounce it this cousin of the mollusk family is eight kinds of good, and this cephlapod is more than just a metaphor - "Due to having numerous tentacles that emanate from a common center, the octopus is often used as a metaphor for a group or organziation which is perceived as being powerful, manipulative or bent on domination. Use of this terminology is invariably negative and employed by the opponents of the groups or institutions so described." Before I romanticize it too much lets get down to the nitty gritty, I may seem like an organization hell bent on world domination but it is just a big misunderstanding. (warning: you are about to see a fresh octopus, this might be alarming to some)

Four pounds fresh (actually it was previously frozen since neither the East River nor the Hudson are popular habitats) - in a pot with stock, onions, garlic, finely ground oregano salt & pepper, and a shot of vermouth - set the dial to "low" and let it cook for oh I dont know - 3 hours or so.

Completely reduced in size, firmed up yet incredibly tender I let it sit in the ice box over night in the poaching liquid.

Portioned out and put on skewers with a little extra oregano sprinkled on to create more smokiness and a spritz of olive oil to help it along the octopus is now ready for the grill.

Flashed on a hot grill enough to warm it through and impart a nice smoky flavor from both the coals and the smoldering oregano I plated it up with a little garlic chile sauce, some extra virgin olive oil, course grain sea salt, some lemon wedges and bread that was spread with olive oil and also toasted on the grill.

I dont think I need to tell you how good it was you can plainly see for yourself.

17 comments:

Anonymous said...

I can't believe you cooked an entire octopus! That is so cool.

Tangled Noodle said...

Where did you find a 4lb fresh octopus?! I've only ever found the small, frozen ones. Dang, it looks so good - well worth the long wait before it got to the grill. I think I need to go on an octopus hunt at the market soon...

Anette said...

That is one arrogant blekksprut!
Even though I find them a bit scary, I might just have a go om the one served ChezWhat!

mely said...

Octopus great! I so much miss the seafood of my hometown. Unfortunately here the seafood looks very past they fresh state.

I love to see your kind of cooking.

Mely

PS. Thanks for the link on the mushrooms information.

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Wow. To start out so unattractive you turned into a gorgeous dish. I just saw octopus in our supermarket the other day. Not the whole thing though.
Sam

Ken said...

It's the posts like this that kill me. It looks so freaking good and tender, I can only imagine. Nothing at all like a little old squid in a Sicilian gravy.

Belinda said...

LOVE octopus! Grilling is such a great way to do it - beautiful colors!

Marjie said...

Well, I know that your kid would never be the one who shows up at someone else's house and whines, "I don't eat that!" Beautiful dinner, Christo.

J said...

I love octopus - even in sushi! (A bit tough, tough.)

www.you-made-that.com said...

Wow, that is one scary looking octopus,I used to be a vegetarian so it would be extremely difficult for me to eat this. Although the finished dish looks beautiful. I looked through some your recipes and you have quite a talent :)Nice to meet you.

Angie's Recipes said...

Dude, where have you been hiding???!!
You even cooked the whole octopus...wow you seriously are an adventurous foodie.

Barbara said...

Perfectly cooked! I adore octopus! Have you ever had it at Periyali in NYC? I have dreams about that dish. Yours looks pretty darn close.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

Octopus salad is a big favorite in my book. I'll never forget the memory of eating it on a small, uninhabited island off the coast of Sardinia, where the fisherman's wife thrashed it against the rocks before cooking it. That was a little traumatic, but the dish was really good.

Vickie said...

I could easily be a pescetarian! This looks amazing, Christo. Your creations are always so beautiful.

Jason said...

Damn Christo - looks delicious AND beautiful!!!

CreativeMish said...

Dang... that does look good. Especially with the chili sauce

Unknown said...

dios mio que animalito mas feo! but the dish looks delicious for sure! i love it skewered.

Bren
Flanboyant Eats
http://www.flanboyanteats.com

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