Mombasa Style Spicy Octopus with Kachumbari

octopus

🥗Healthier: squid

💰Cheaper: chicken

Squid is lower in calories, while chicken is more affordable.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: vegetable oil

Avocado oil has a higher smoke point and is healthier.

cayenne pepper

🥗Healthier: paprika

💰Cheaper: chili powder

Paprika offers flavor with less heat, and chili powder is often less expensive.

lime juice

🥗Healthier: lemon juice

💰Cheaper: vinegar

Lemon juice provides similar acidity and flavor.

Thoroughly rinse the octopus and place it in a pot of water.

Simmer the octopus for about an hour to soften it.

Add chopped red onion, celery sticks, cardamom pods, cinnamon quill, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, and black peppercorns to the pot while simmering.

After simmering, let the octopus cool in the liquid.

Once cooled, cut the octopus into pieces.

Prepare a marinade with jalapeno chilies, ginger, turmeric, garlic, and olive oil.

Rub the marinade all over the octopus and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, take the octopus out of the fridge and let it come to room temperature.

Prepare kachumbari by slicing tomatoes, avocado, and red onion thinly.

Soak the sliced onion in water with sea salt for 10 minutes, then drain.

Mix the drained onions with chopped coriander leaves and lime juice to complete the kachumbari.

Grill the marinated octopus over charcoal until cooked through and slightly charred.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary