Braised Octopus with Chickpea Salad and Salsa Verde

  0.0 – 0 reviews  • Beans and Legumes
Level: Intermediate
Total: 1 hr 15 min
Active: 45 min
Yield: 4 servings

Ingredients

  1. Tentacles from one 4-to 6-pound fresh octopus
  2. 1 cup sherry vinegar or red wine vinegar
  3. 1 cup red wine
  4. 1 cinnamon stick
  5. 2 star anise pods
  6. 1 tablespoon whole black peppercorns
  7. 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
  8. 1 bay leaf
  9. A few sprigs fresh parsley (can also use basil or oregano)
  10. A few sprigs fresh thyme (can also use basil or oregano)
  11. 4 cups fresh or canned cooked chickpeas
  12. 1/2 small red onion or 1/2 large red onion, sliced
  13. 1/2 poblano pepper, minced
  14. Zest of one lemon, plus 1/4 cup lemon juice
  15. 1/4 cup lime juice
  16. Zest of one orange, plus 1/4 cup orange juice
  17. 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  18. 1 cup chopped romaine hearts
  19. 1 cup arugula
  20. 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
  21. 1/2 bunch fresh basil
  22. 1/2 bunch fresh parsley
  23. 2 cloves garlic
  24. 3 to 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  25. Salt and pepper

Instructions

  1. For the octopus: Fill a large pot about 2/3 full with water and bring to a boil. Blanch the octopus by placing it in the boiling water for 30 seconds. Remove and set aside.
  2. Drain the water or in another large pot, add the vinegar, wine, cinnamon, star anise, peppercorns, fennel seeds, bay leaf and a few sprigs each fresh parsley and thyme and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Add the octopus. Cover and cook until fork-tender, about 30 minutes.
  3. Prior to serving, if desired, heat a grill to high heat and grill the octopus pieces for texture until slightly charred and crisp on the outside.
  4. For the chickpea salad: Reheat the chickpeas in a medium pot over medium heat and keep warm. Prior to serving, remove from the heat and toss with the red onion, poblano, lemon zest and juice, lime juice, orange zest and juice, olive oil, romaine, arugula and chopped basil.
  5. For the salsa verde: Roughly chop the basil, parsley and garlic and add to a small food processor or blender. Slowly drizzle in the olive oil while pulsing until the ingredients are well combined and have a smooth consistency that is not too liquid. Add salt and pepper to taste.
  6. Serve the salsa verde over the chickpea salad and octopus.

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size 1 of 4 servings
Calories 1019
Total Fat 47 g
Saturated Fat 7 g
Carbohydrates 70 g
Dietary Fiber 17 g
Sugar 15 g
Protein 68 g
Cholesterol 163 mg
Sodium 1882 mg

 

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