Octopus!!

[di]

Some would say I'm lucky to have an adventurous DD who likes to try lots of new things...however on this occassion!!I tried to sway her more towards the trout but she insisted the octopus looked far more appealing!I've never tried it myself,let alone cooked it,but thought as mum it would be wrong of me to turn my nose up to something I've never tried!
So!!Thoughts anyone?How's the best way to cook it?& is it as to eat as it is to look at??!!

[HeyWayne]

From Rick Stein:

I have managed to buy some octopus, but I have no idea how to cook it.

Rick Stein: Octopus needs some sort of pre-cooking. Either poach it gently in salted water for 45 minutes or so until tender, or cook it in a low oven with whatever flavours you like e.g. olive oil and thyme or spices like nutmeg and cinnamon, for about three hours until tender. Then slice it and serve it warm or in a salad. You can also stew it gently with red wine, garlic, olive oil, red onions and herbs for an authentic Mediterranean octopus stew!

[lynda66]

it's ok till the suckers stick to your tongue

i did have squid once ..... was gross.

have fun

[di]

Cheers Wayne!...& Lynda...thanks!!
Must admit it's not a dinner I'm particularly excited about!!(& what's the betting I get a phonecall from Andi at 5ish saying he'll pick something up from the chippie on the way home?!

[lynda66]

lol ..... you're welcome

funnily enough, i'd be getting something from the chippy too

have you thought about adding garden snails as a starter ??

[di]

We're actually soon off to the lottie...so maybe I could set the kiddies on a slug hunt!DD's also a dab hand at catching crickets(I do try to discourage her!),but maybe we could have a loverly selection of delectable grub(s) in a rather tasty stirfry!
Yum-yum!!!(just a shame how tiddly the frogs are!!)

[Nicos]

Here's a nice recipe- they even explain a bit about the preparation!

Marinated Octopus - Htapothi Xythato - Greek Food - Greek Recipes


I have memories of the Greeks defrosting blocks of frozen octopus by floating it in the sea for a couple of hours and then tenderising it by literally scrubbing it into the rocks- bit like the old washer-woman style of rubbing clothes onto a scrub-board.

I've never prepard it myself but if you like squid, then you should like the octopus
Let us know how you get on....there are loads of whole,uncooked ones in the freezer sections of French supermarkets, and I've often been tempted!


Don't let it go to waste- they are really intelligent creatures and it would be sad to think it was discarded into the bin.

[lynda66]

We're actually soon off to the lottie...so maybe I could set the kiddies on a slug hunt!DD's also a dab hand at catching crickets(I do try to discourage her!),but maybe we could have a loverly selection of delectable grub(s) in a rather tasty stirfry!
Yum-yum!!!(just a shame how tiddly the frogs are!!)

ooooo yum, reminds me of when i was in thailand, in a bar ...... turned round and came face to face with a huge plate of deep fried bugs ...... and of course i ate them all

*thinks andi will leave home at the prospect of deep fried crickets*

[di]

Part of me is really hoping to enjoy~they were really cheap at the fresh counter in Morrisons.The other part of me is wondering if they'll taste as much like a bath mat as they look!!
Also really regretting turning down the fishmonger when she offered to prepare them all for me!!(she showed me how with one & as there was a queue I said I'd manage the rest!!)
I shall let you know the results later!

[lynda66]

i knew there was something i was thinking of that they taste like

i'm sure they will be erm .... lovely i also think you're very brave

PS have got severe giggles now

[danmon_81]

I know the rule with squid is either:

Cook it very fast and hot
or
cook it for a long time.. slowly

Anything in between it becomes chewy

Think its the same with OP

[Hilary B]

I believe octopus has a greater tendency to being tough than squid does. I've cooked squid and cuttlefish (mostly in paella) a few times, but never quite dared try octopus. O believe for some recipes it starts with bashing it with a meat-mallet....

[Rhona]

I love squid and octopus, and have cooked it grilled, bbq'd, stewed and marinated it. Depends how big and tough it is...if big, I'd chop and use it in a divine fish stew (with tomatoes and saffron) and simmer it for a while, but my fave is flash fried with tons of butter, oil, garlic and cooked potatoes (with some parsley at the last minute).

yummy!

[lynda66]

*wonders how the bath mat went down with the kids, and whether Andi has left home*

[di]

Well!!!!I don't really know what to say!!It wasn't horrible....but I think I may have managed to do the inbetween time cooking!!I intended to slow cook,but our slow cooker is huge & needs to be 2/3s full & I don't trust leaving my oven on when I'm not home(Andi was using the grill once & it suddenly turned itself onto pyroclean~bit scary if there's stuff in there!!)& then I found myself getting lost in digging so didn't get home from lottie til almost teatime!
SO!!Quick cook it was~except the water content kept bringing the temp down so I think I slightly overdid it!!Chewy???BUT!!Andi really enjoyed it,DD finished hers & started scrounging off our plates & DS had great fun pretending it was still alive(although didn't eat much!)Next time(yep there will be a next time!)I think I'll go for the slow cooked.
Nicos,I would recommend,but if the fishmonger offers to prepare it for you don't be polite & say you'll do it yourself!~If you do....the little ball/sacks inside REALLY do NOT want to burst!!!(baby mustard nappy springs to mind!)~they are discarded,along with the beak!
For all those who can't be bothered to read the waffle!!VERDICT!Not as bad as I was expecting~although yet to decide if the icky feeling is due to lack of sleep or the ollie!!