Crispy Marinated Baby Octopus

Name: Crispy Marinated Baby Octopus
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 75 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 6
Ingredients: 2 kg baby octopus; 4000 ml water; 1 onion; 6 cloves garlic; 3 parsley stems; 2 bay leaves; 3 tbsp lemon juice; 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil; 2 tsp lemon zest; 1 tsp dried red chilli flakes; 1 tsp black peppercorns; 2 tsp cooking salt; 1/2 tsp each cooking salt and black pepper; 1 tbsp canola oil; 2 tsp parsley; 1 large red chili; lemon wedges

Tender baby octopus is gently braised, marinated overnight with lemon and olive oil, then seared until the edges turn golden and crisp. It is a bright, savory seafood dish that works beautifully as a starter, shared plate, or grilled main with crusty bread.

Servings6 Portions

Prep Time10 Mins

Cook Time75 Mins

Difficulty

Intermediate

Ingredients

baby octopus
2 kg
water
4000 ml
onion
1
garlic
6 cloves
parsley stems
3
bay leaves
2
lemon juice
3 tbsp
extra-virgin olive oil
0.5 cup
lemon zest
2 tsp
dried red chilli flakes
1 tsp
black peppercorns
1 tsp
cooking salt
2 tsp
cooking salt and black pepper
0.5 tsp each
canola oil
1 tbsp
parsley
2 tsp
large red chili
1
lemon wedges

Step-by-Step Instructions

Make the braising liquid: add the water, onion, garlic, peppercorns, salt, lemon juice, parsley stems, and bay leaves to a large pot. Bring to a boil over high heat.

Add the baby octopus and return the liquid to a boil. Reduce the heat to very low so the liquid barely simmers, then skim off any foam that rises to the surface.

Braise for 45 minutes, then test a piece for tenderness. Continue cooking for up to 1 hour total, or until the octopus is tender but not falling apart.

Drain the octopus well in a colander. Discard the onion, bay leaves, parsley stems, and other braising aromatics, then transfer the hot octopus to a large bowl.

Mix the olive oil, lemon zest, chilli flakes, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl. Pour over the hot octopus and toss thoroughly so it absorbs the marinade as it cools.