Best Braised And Charred Octopus Taco Recipes

BRAISED OCTOPUS WITH CHICKPEA SALAD AND SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• Serve the salsa verde over the chickpea salad and octopus.

OCTOPUS VERACRUZA

Steps:

• In small saucepan combine fish stock and raisins. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook, uncovered, until the raisins are plump and light gold in color, about 20-25 minutes. Transfer to a medium bowl and set aside. In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil over high heat. Saute the onion 3 to 5 minutes until translucent and limp. Add garlic and saute about 30 seconds. Stir in tomatoes with 1 teaspoon salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper and cook 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from pan and set aside. In same skillet saute peppers in four batches, adding 2 tablespoons of oil for each batch. The peppers should remain crisp and colorful, like a stir-fry. Transfer each finished batch to a platter to cool. Then transfer to the bowl with raisins and stock. Add the tomato mixture (cooked vegetables can be refrigerated overnight if desired.) In same skillet, heat the remain 2 tablespoons oil over high heat until almost smoking. Sprinkle the cleaned octopus with salt and pepper. Saute octopus, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Add the cooked vegetable mixture, oregano, lime juice and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper. Stir and toss well to heat through and to combine the flavors.

PULPO ENCEBOLLADO TACOS

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water; add the octopuses, white onion halves and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to medium. Simmer until the octopuses are very tender, about 2 hours. Drain, discarding the onion and bay leaf. Let the octopuses cool; cut into small pieces.
• Melt the butter in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the red onion and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 6 minutes. Add the garlic and chiles and cook, stirring, until tender, 3 more minutes. Add the octopuses and saute until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve in tortillas; top with cilantro and diced white onion. Serve with lime wedges.

CHARRED OCTOPUS TACO WITH HARISSA, CHORIZO CRUSHED POTATOES, AND PICKLED RAMPS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 275°F. Place the octopus, garlic, and thyme in a 5-quart pot or Dutch oven. Pour olive oil over (octopus should be submerged) and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover the pot with foil, place in oven, and cook until tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Check the octopus periodically for tenderness by inserting a paring knife into the thickest part of an arm. When fully cooked, the knife should easily pierce the flesh. Remove from oven and let sit covered until the octopus comes to room temperature. Discard thyme and garlic. Remove and discard head, separate arms, and gently remove the purple skin.
• Toast the chiles in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Let cool and remove the stems and seeds. Bring 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small pot. Add chiles and simmer until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Purée chiles and water in a blender until smooth, scrape out and reserve.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sweat the onions until tender and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the onions, ground spices, lemon juice, and salt to the blender with 3 tablespoons of the pepper purée. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Strain, taste, and adjust seasoning. Harissa can be made 1 day in advance.
• Bring the vinegar, sugar, salt, and 1 cup water to a boil and stir until dissolved. Place the ramps in a heatproof glass container and pour vinegar mixture over. Let sit until ramps come to room temperature, then refrigerate 1 hour. Ramps can be pickled 1 day in advance.
• Start the potatoes in a medium pot with cold salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain, crush with a fork, and reserve.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the chorizo, breaking into bits, until browned and cooked through. Strain and reserve oil.
• Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Rub the octopus with a little olive oil and grill until lightly charred, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Slice octopus into bite-size pieces. Meanwhile, heat the reserved chorizo oil and potatoes in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cooked chorizo and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning.
• Warm the tortillas. Divide the crushed potatoes between the tortillas, top with octopus, a spoonful of harissa, and 2 or 3 pickled ramps.