How to Cook Octopus – Tender & Crisp, Just Like Calamari

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier with a higher smoke point.

white wine

🥗Healthier: non-alcoholic wine

💰Cheaper: chicken broth

Chicken broth provides moisture and flavor without alcohol.

capers

🥗Healthier: green olives

💰Cheaper: pickles

Green olives can provide a similar briny flavor.

cherry tomatoes

🥗Healthier: regular tomatoes

💰Cheaper: canned tomatoes

Canned tomatoes are often less expensive and can be used in the same way.

Defrost the octopus overnight in the fridge.

Ensure the octopus is frozen for 48 hours before cooking for tenderness.

Remove the bum and eyes from the cleaned octopus.

Boil water and place the octopus in it, pulling it out repeatedly to curl it.

Once boiling, cover and reduce heat to medium-low, cooking for 15 minutes.

Turn off the heat and let the octopus cool in the water for at least 15 minutes.

After cooling, place the octopus in a sieve to drain excess water.

Chop the octopus into similar-sized pieces and transfer to a glass bowl.

Halve 200 grams of plum tomatoes and add to the bowl with the octopus.

Halve black and green olives and add to the bowl.

Add 100 grams of breadcrumbs to the bowl.

Add 3 dessert spoons of grated Parmesan cheese to the bowl.

Crush a large clove of garlic and add it to the bowl.

Grate the zest of one lemon and add it to the bowl, mixing well.

Add a pinch of salt and black pepper to the mixture.

Chop and add parsley to the mixture, then mix again.

Line an oven tray with baking paper and pour the octopus mixture into it, spreading it evenly.

Drizzle more olive oil over the top of the octopus mixture.

Peel three medium-sized potatoes and cut them into 0.5 to 1 cm pieces.

Peel and cut carrots into similar chip-sized pieces.

Add leftover lemon zest and a new clove of garlic to the potatoes and carrots.

Add a handful of Parmesan cheese, black pepper, and rosemary to the vegetables, then mix with olive oil.

Line a second oven tray with baking paper and spread the vegetables evenly on it.

Drizzle more olive oil over the vegetables before placing them in the oven.

Preheat the oven to 190°C (200°C for conventional).

Place the vegetables in the oven for 30 minutes.

After 5-7 minutes, place the octopus in the oven for 20-25 minutes.

Remove both trays from the oven after the cooking time.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens