WARM OCTOPUS AND SWEET ONION SALAD WITH FRESH BASIL AND LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Warm Octopus and Sweet Onion Salad with Fresh Basil and Lemon Vinaigrette image

Provided by Bobby Flay

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 20

3 cups fresh lemon juice
1 shallot, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 basil leaves, chiffonade
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 sweet onions, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper
2 pounds octopus, cleaned
3 cups water
2 tablespoons aged sherry vinegar
2 cloves garlic, smashed
10 wine corks
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper

Steps:

For the vinaigrette: Place lemon juice, shallot, garlic and honey in a medium saucepan and reduce to 1/2 cup. Place reduced syrup into a blender, add olive oil and blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl and fold in the basil.
For the salad: Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and caramelized. Add the vinegar and cook until reduced. Season with salt and pepper.
Place the octopus, water, vinegar, garlic, wine corks, bay leaf and peppercorns. In a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until tender, about 3 hours. Remove the octopus from the water and place on a platter lined with paper towels. Heat the grill or grill pan. Cut the octopus into pieces, brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and grill for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
Assembly: 2 cups mixed greens Lemon vinaigrette Chopped fresh basil and parsley
Toss greens in a large bowl with 3 tablespoons lemon vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. Place the greens on a large platter and top with the grilled octopus. Drizzle with more of the vinaigrette, top with the onion slices and sprinkle with the fresh herbs.