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.