You don't need to add much to this braise; the octopus releases its natural juices, and lots of flavour, during cooking.
Braised octopus with oregano
Australian Gourmet Traveller recipe for braised octopus with oregano.
- 20 mins preparation
- 1 hr 30 mins cooking plus cooling
- Serves 6
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Ingredients
- 600 gm baby octopus (about 10)
- 1 onion, coarsely chopped
- 2 long red chillies, split lengthways
- 4 garlic cloves, bruised
- 60 ml (¼ cup) olive oil
- ¼ cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, coarsely torn
- 2 tbsp oregano leaves
- 40 ml extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 lemon, juice and finely grated rind only
- To serve: crusty bread
Method
Main
- 1Remove heads from octopus by cutting below the eyes and above the tentacles and discard. Remove beak from centre of tentacles by pushing through from the cut side with your finger and discard. Combine tentacles with onion, chilli, garlic and olive oil in a bowl and set aside.
- 2Heat a large saucepan or casserole over a low heat, add octopus mixture, cover and simmer until tender (1-1½ hours). Remove from heat and set aside to cool to room temperature.
- 3Whisk herbs, extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, rind and 1 tbsp braising liquid in a bowl and season to taste.
- 4Remove octopus from liquid (discard liquid), combine in a bowl with herb dressing, season to taste and serve with bread.