For those who love Mediterranean flavors and seafood, this scrumptious Mediterranean Octopus Salad made with tender octopus, creamy potatoes, and olives is a must- attempt.
Mediterranean Octopus Salad
This Mediterranean Octopus Salad is impressed by the coastal areas of Greece, Italy, and Spain, and it may be served as a lightweight meal or appetizer alongside a crisp glass of white wine. Including potatoes makes the salad much more filling whereas complementing the octopus. The potatoes take in all of the olive oil and vinegar goodness, making this dish much more scrumptious. For comfort, I’m utilizing pre-cooked octopus, however I additionally included directions if you wish to cook dinner it from scratch. For different seafood salads, attempt my Zesty Shrimp and Avocado Salad, Chilled Calamari Salad and this scrumptious Italian Shrimp Salad.
Why You’ll Love This Octopus Salad
I really like octopus and all the time order it once I’m out. Nonetheless, I used to be all the time intimidated by the concept of creating it at residence till I took a cooking class and realized how simple it’s. However figuring out you would possibly discover it tough, I used pre-
cooked octopus from FreshDirect, however you can even discover it at Costco or on-line. If you wish to cook dinner it your self, see the instructions under.
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What You’ll Want
Right here’s the whole lot you have to make this simple Mediterranean octopus salad. See the recipe card under for the precise measurements.
- Peewee Potatoes are tiny child potatoes. You should use all one coloration or a mixture of white and purple.
- Octopus: El Rey del Pulpo (translated to “The king of octopus”) is a well-liked model bought at Costco. I additionally purchase frozen and cooked from Contemporary Direct or Complete Meals. Chop it into small items.
- Olives: I really like kalamata or Gaeta olives, that are much like kalamata, on this salad.
- Aromatics: Minced or grated garlic and thinly sliced shallots
- Parsley for coloration and freshness
- Octopus Salad Dressing: Lemon juice and zest, purple wine vinegar, further virgin olive oil, coarse salt, and black pepper
Methods to Make Octopus Salad
For those who begin with cooked octopus, the one cooking you’ll do is boil potatoes. Every little thing else is simply chopping and tossing. See the recipe card on the backside for printable instructions.
- Boil the Potatoes: Add potatoes to a pot of salted water–be sure that it’s further salty for the reason that potatoes take in the flavour. Deliver it to a boil, simmer till the potatoes are tender, and drain. As soon as cool, slice them in half or quarters, relying on their dimension.
- Mix Every little thing: Whereas the potatoes cook dinner, put all of the components in a bowl. As soon as the potatoes are prepared, add them.
- Marinate the Octopus Salad for not less than quarter-hour or in a single day within the fridge.
Methods to Prepare dinner Octopus (With out Worry!)
For those who can’t discover cooked octopus, you may cook dinner it your self. Though it could appear intimidating, it’s simpler than you assume. The important thing to cooking octopus so it’s not rubbery is to simmer it gently till tender earlier than chilling and slicing it for the salad. For those who begin with cleaned octopus (really helpful), the course of is even less complicated! Ask your fishmonger to scrub it for you.
- Begin with Cleaned Octopus: In case your octopus has already been cleaned (beak, eyes, and inner organs eliminated), rinse it underneath chilly water earlier than cooking.
- Put together Your Pot: Deliver a big pot of water to a boil. Add a bay leaf, black peppercorns, a splash of vinegar (or white wine), and a garlic clove or a wedge of onion (elective) for further taste.
- The Curling Trick (Elective): To get properly curled tentacles, dip the octopus into the boiling water thrice, holding it by the pinnacle earlier than totally submerging it. This helps set the form.
- Simmer in accordance with Weight: The cooking instances are under. It’s performed when you may simply pierce it with a fork.
–Common (Non-Tenderized) Octopus: Simmer 12 minutes per pound over low warmth.
–Pre-Tenderized Octopus: Simmer 6 minutes per pound over low warmth. - Cool within the Cooking Liquid: Flip off the warmth and let the octopus cool within the liquid for about 20 minutes. This helps retain moisture and tenderness.
- Take away the Pores and skin (Elective): As soon as cooled, gently rub off the outer pores and skin together with your fingers or a paper towel. Some individuals love the added texture, so this step is as much as you!
- Slice and Use: Reduce the octopus into bite-sized items and toss it into your Mediterranean Octopus and Potato Salad or some other dish.
Variations
- Seafood: Swap octopus with cooked shrimp, squid or lobster.
- Olives: Substitute Castelvetrano.
- Shallot: Substitute the shallot with a purple onion.
Pairing Strategies
This salad pairs fantastically with grilled greens like zucchini, eggplant, or bell peppers.
If serving it as a part of a Mediterranean unfold, take into account including hummus and pita, grilled halloumi, or a tomato and feta salad.
Storage
Refrigerate octopus salad for as much as 3 days and eat the leftovers chilly for a fast lunch.
Extra Mediterranean Recipes You’ll Love
For extra dinner concepts, try my Seafood Recipes assortment, plus these 5 scrumptious Mediterranean recipes to encourage your subsequent meal!
Yield: 4 servings
Serving Dimension: 1 beneficiant cup
Add entire potatoes to a pot of salted water* & carry to a boil. Simmer till the potatoes are tender when pierced with a fork. Drain from the water & cool. As soon as cool, slice in half or in quarters relying on the dimensions (they need to be the precise dimension for a forkful!)
Whereas potatoes cook dinner, get the remaining components marinating: In a big bowl mix octopus, olives, shallot, parsley, lemon, purple wine vinegar, olive oil, salt & pepper. As soon as the potatoes are cool, add to the bowl.
Let octopus salad marinade for no less than quarter-hour however as much as over night time!
Final Step:
Please go away a score and remark letting us understand how you appreciated this recipe! This helps our enterprise to thrive and proceed offering free, high-quality recipes for you.Serving: 1 beneficiant cup, Energy: 366.5 kcal, Carbohydrates: 14.5 g, Protein: 47.5 g, Fats: 12.5 g, Saturated Fats: 1 g, Ldl cholesterol: 290 mg, Sodium: 1176 mg, Fiber: 2 g, Sugar: 2.5 g
