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Crispy marinated baby octopus

Crispy marinated baby octopus

Delicious crispy marinated baby octopus, perfect for BBQ or skillet cooking, infused with garlic and lemon.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Marinating Time 12 hours
Total Time 13 hours 15 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Mediterranean
Servings 6 pieces
Calories 394 kcal

Equipment

  • large pot
  • BBQ or large skillet
  • colander
  • bowl
  • Tongs

Ingredients
  

Baby Octopus

  • 2 kg baby octopus rinsed

Braising liquid

  • 4 litres water
  • 1 onion halved, skin on
  • 6 garlic cloves smashed
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns sub ½ teaspoon ground pepper
  • 2 teaspoon cooking salt kosher salt
  • 3 tablespoon lemon juice or apple cider vinegar
  • 3 parsley stems with leaves
  • 2 bay leaves fresh or dried

Marinade

  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves very finely minced
  • 2 teaspoon lemon zest one large lemon
  • 2 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon dried red chilli flakes optional
  • ½ teaspoon cooking salt
  • ½ teaspoon black pepper

Cooking & serving

  • 1 tablespoon canola oil for BBQ or large skillet
  • 2 teaspoon parsley finely chopped (optional)
  • 1 large red chilli finely sliced (optional)
  • lemon wedges highly recommended

Instructions
 

Braising

  • Put all the braising liquid ingredients in a large pot and bring to a boil over high heat.
  • Add octopus, bring back up to the boil, then reduce the heat to low so the water is simmering very gently.
  • Scoop off and discard scum off the surface when it accumulates.
  • Braise for 1 hour until tender, first checking at the 45 minute mark.
  • Drain octopus in a colander and discard bay leaves, onion etc.
  • Transfer octopus into a bowl.

Marinating

  • Mix marinade ingredients in a bowl.
  • Pour over the octopus (while still hot). Toss, allow to fully cool, cover with cling wrap then marinate overnight in the fridge.

Cooking

  • Heat a BBQ hot plate on medium high until hot.
  • Spread oil across the hot plate.
  • Use tongs to transfer the octopus onto the BBQ and cook for 3 to 5 minutes, rotating as needed.
  • Serve by piling octopus on a plate. Sprinkle with parsley and chilli, add lemon wedges.

Notes

Don't shortcut marinating; minimum 12 hours, 24 hours is best for maximum flavor infusion.

Nutrition

Serving: 1pieceCalories: 394kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 50gFat: 15gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 2gMonounsaturated Fat: 9gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 160mgSodium: 1777mgPotassium: 1241mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 609IUVitamin C: 23mgCalcium: 218mgIron: 18mg
Keyword BBQ octopus, Crispy marinated baby octopus, grilled octopus, marinade, octopus recipe, seafood
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