Alma Bax 
Octopus is a very delicious and healthy food. It tastes different from all the other food we usually eat. Octopus is also filled with protein and vitamins. Octopus contains a lot of power.
Octopus is a seafood that is widely misunderstood. It’s common knowledge that squid is the most commonly eaten type of octopus, but it’s also known that other species of octopus are eaten in Japan, and are considered a delicacy. In the Philippines, octopus is also considered a delicacy, but is more commonly used in special dishes. In addition to being a popular fish in Japan, octopus is also a popular ingredient in Filipino dishes and various other cuisines in Asia, including Korean, Chinese, Thai, and Vietnamese.
This recipe is from the Octopus recipe and nutrition book, a cookbook by the Heliconius butterflies and written by Dr. Matt Bigelow and Dr. David Krentz, who are both entomologists at the University of California, Davis.
A Quick Look
The octopus is a marine creature with a big head and eight suction cup-adorned limbs, which are often referred to as tentacles. The octopus, which is related to squid and cuttlefish, is the biggest member of the cephalopod family, which also includes squid and cuttlefish. It may grow up to 30 feet long. Octopus has a high protein content and is high in vitamin B12, selenium, iron, copper, and vitamin B6. Octopus has a delicate texture and somewhat sweet, mild flavor when cooked correctly. Octopus is a kind of octopus that can be found in seas all over the globe and is especially popular in Mediterranean and Japanese cuisines. Many cultures believe octopus to be aphrodisiac, however this is only true if it is prepared correctly. A delicate, sensuous sensation awaits you with properly cooked octopus. It turns rubbery and unpleasant if overcooked, making it unsuitable for any human, much alone a lover.
Overview
The octopus is a marine creature with a big head and eight suction cup-adorned limbs, which are often referred to as tentacles. (Octopus arms are stronger and shorter, with suckers all the way up and down, while tentacles are long and thin with suckers just at the end.) The octopus is the biggest member of the cephalopod family (which includes squid and cuttlefish) and may reach a length of 30 feet.
The octopus’ head houses all of the organs, including a beak-like mouth and an internal ink bag. This ink is employed as a defensive weapon to obstruct predators’ route, but it is also utilized as a food supplement.
Octopus may be found in all seas on the planet. They are chameleon-like in that they take on the color of their surroundings, thus they come in a variety of hues such as grey, pink, black, brown, and beige.
In the Mediterranean, octopus is a popular dish, and it’s also popular in Japan. Many cultures believe it to be an aphrodisiac, however this is only true if it is prepared correctly. A delicate, sensuous sensation awaits you with properly cooked octopus. It turns rubbery and unpleasant if overcooked, making it unsuitable for any human, much alone a lover.
Identification
The size of an octopus varies based on the species and the age at when it was caught. An octopus that has been caught for food may be many feet long or just a few inches wide. Smaller, younger octopuses are often more sensitive than bigger, older octopuses.
Octopus has a delicate texture and somewhat sweet, mild flavor when cooked correctly. Its meat has a bronzed appearance on the exterior but is white within. It has rows of suction cups textured on its arms.
An octopus may be served whole or cut, depending on its size.
Nutritional Information
Cooked octopus contains 139 calories, 25.4 grams of protein, 1.8 grams of fat, 3.7 grams of carbs, and no fiber or sugar. Octopus is a rich source of iron, copper, and vitamin B6 and a great source of vitamin B12 and selenium.
Selection
Fresh or frozen octopus may be purchased at seafood shops and many bigger supermarket stores.
When selecting fresh octopus, seek for specimens that are wet but not slimy, and have a subtle, pleasant marine aroma.
Octopus is most frequently available frozen and uncooked, whole or in parts. Choose goods that are well-sealed and devoid of any extra substances in this instance. Always shop at shops you know and trust that have a high turnover of products.
Storage
Fresh or cooked octopus can keep for two days in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Alternatively, it may be frozen for up to three months, either raw or cooked, in an airtight container. Octopus, like shrimp and squid, freezes well and does not lose its flavor or texture when frozen.
Preparation
The majority of octopus is sold frozen. To prepare it, it must first be thawed, either in the refrigerator overnight or in a bowl of cold water.
“Two minutes or two hours” is a culinary idiom for octopus. This is about correct; octopus is best cooked for a few minutes, just until it loses its translucent quality, or for a longer time (typically an hour or more) until it tenderizes. Anything in between will make the octopus rubbery and difficult to eat.
Here’s a tried-and-true method:
To begin, tenderize the octopus by boiling it for an hour or so in a mild broth. (To test it, poke it with a sharp knife; if it readily enters, it’s ready.) Drain the liquid before slicing the octopus into pieces and brushing it with an olive oil, lemon juice, and chopped herbs combination. Place the octopus pieces on a grill and cook for approximately five minutes on each side, or until crispy. Drizzle with a little more olive oil, a squeeze of lemon, and a pinch of salt and pepper before serving.
OCTOPUS SALAD IN THE GREEK STYLE
Octopus takes some time to cook, but the most of the time is spent relaxing, and the reward is well worth it: Octopus has a rich, somewhat sweet, meaty taste that crisps beautifully and pairs well with a quick Greek salad.
Ingredients
cleaned and thawed octopus 2 pound of white wine 1 garlic clove, gently smashed 3 extra virgin olive oil (plus extra for serving) 3 cloves bay leaves 2 tbsp lemon juice, with a little more to serve 1/2 teaspoon oregano, dry 1.5 cups English cucumber, diced 1 teaspoon ripe tomatoes 1.5 cups red onion, thinly sliced 1/4 cup feta cheese, 60g fresh parsley, and oregano leaves, season to taste with salt and pepper
Directions
Time to Prepare: 20 minutes Time to prepare: 90 minutes 2 servings (about)
To begin, pre-tenderize* your octopus as follows: Combine the octopus, wine, garlic, bay leaves, and enough water to fully cover the octopus in a big saucepan. Bring the water to a boil over high heat, then reduce to a low heat and continue to cook for approximately an hour, or until the octopus is soft.
Drain and chop the octopus into big pieces. Drizzle two tablespoons olive oil, half a lemon’s juice, and dried oregano over the pieces in a mixing bowl. Toss to evenly coat.
You may cook the octopus on the stovetop or on the grill from here:
On the stovetop, heat a pan with a large quantity of olive oil until it sizzles. Then, in the same skillet, sauté the octopus pieces for a few minutes, or until the skin is crispy and caramelized. Then turn the pieces over and crisp the other side. Remove them from the fire and place them in a bowl when they’re done.
Place the octopus pieces on a hot grill and let them alone for a few minutes, or until the underside has crisped up and has beautiful grill markings. Flip and finish grilling the other side. Remove them from the fire and place them in a bowl when they’re done.
To make the salad, put chopped tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and feta cheese in a large mixing dish and toss to blend (this may be done while the octopus is boiling).
Serve the salad in two dishes with fried octopus on top. Drizzle liberally with olive oil and lemon juice and garnish with fresh parsley and oregano leaves. Serve after seasoning with salt and pepper to taste.
*Octopus, like squid, should be cooked in one of two ways: low and slow or quickly. Anything in the middle will result in a rubbery, unappealing mess. The flesh of the octopus is tenderized by simmering it for an hour or more, allowing it to be grilled or pan-fried with a beautiful sear without becoming too rough.
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Foods That Are Related
Octopuses are already well-known for their ability to mimic different objects. However, this is not their only trick. As you know, sea creatures can change their appearance in order to hide from predators or escape from a predator. And this is what happens in this octopus recipe.. Read more about fried octopus recipe and let us know what you think.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do you make an octopus more tender?
You cant, octopuses are already tender.
Do you need to boil octopus before frying?
Yes, boiling the octopus is necessary before frying.
How do you prepare and cook octopus?
You should first remove the ink sacs from the tentacles. Next, you should clean and cut the octopus into bite-sized pieces. Then, you should marinate it in a mixture of lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper and garlic. Finally, you can either grill or sauté it until it is cooked through.
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Ben Austin