Grilled Octopus With Chickpeas And Oregano Recipes

GRILLED OCTOPUS WITH CHICKPEAS AND OREGANO

Steps:

• For the octopus: preheat the oven to 300 degrees. In a large pot, combine all of the ingredients (the corks are believed to tenderize the octopus) and season with salt. Cover with a lid and slowly bring to a boil over medium-low heat. Place in the oven and cook until the octopus is easily pierced with a knife, 1 to 1 1/2 hours. Let cool to room temperature in liquid. Remove the octopus and, using scissors, separate the tentacles from the body. Discard the head and beak.
• For the marinade: combine all the ingredients in a large bowl. Marinate the tentacles for at least 30 minutes. Preheat a grill to high heat.
• For the salad: in a small saucepan, bring the vinegar and sugar to a boil over medium heat. Add the onions and remove from the heat. Allow to cool. Strain the liquid.
• Grill the octopus over high heat for about 1 minute; turn the tentacles and cook for 1 more minute.
• In a medium bowl, whisk together the lemon juice and the olive oil. Add the oregano and parsley and season with salt and pepper. Add the pickled onions and chickpeas and mix well. To serve, spoon the chickpea mixture onto plates and place the octopus on top.

CHICKPEA AND OCTOPUS SALAD

Steps:

• If using raw octopus, remove and discard the eyes and beak and clean thoroughly. Sprinkle all over with salt and knead well to tenderize. Rinse under cold running water. To make the poaching liquid, pour the fish stock or clam juice, water, and vinegar into a stockpot into which a medium strainer will fit. Add the black peppercorns and bay leaves and bring to a boil. Place the cleaned octopus in the strainer and dip in the boiling liquid for 30 seconds. Remove and let rest for about 2 minutes. Repeat this procedure twice. Transfer the blanched octopus to a tray and refrigerate until cold. Strain the poaching liquid and reserve 1/4 cup. When ready to use, cut the octopus into bitesized pieces. Drain the soaked chick peas and, in a large pot, combine them with the water and the bay leaf. Bring up to a boil, reduce the heat and simmer covered for about 2 1/2 hours, or until tender. Drain well and discard the bay leaf. (Or, if desired, use canned chick peas for this dish: rinse and drain them well before adding to the salad.) In a bowl, combine the octopus, reserved octopus cooking liquid, chickpeas, lemon juice, parsley, oregano, salt, black pepper, and olive oil. Toss together until all the ingredients are well coated. Mound the salad onto a platter and place leaves of red leaf lettuce upright all around the edges. If desired, sprinkle with crumbled feta and diced tomatoes. Serve immediately.

GRILLED SHRIMP AND OCTOPUS SALAD WITH PIQUILLO PEPPER FONDUE AND CRISPY CHICK PEAS

Steps:

• Preheat a grill to 500 degrees F.
• Place the olive oil in a medium heated shallow pot. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until golden brown. Add the piquillo peppers and orange juice and simmer for about 30 minutes. Remove form the heat and puree in a blender. Season, to taste.
• Toss the octopus and shrimp with the extra-virgin olive oil, garlic, oregano and season with salt and pepper. Place on the grill and cook until charred on the outside. Place in a mixing bowl and toss with the sliced red onions, lemon juice, water cress and Piquillo Pepper Fondue. Season, to taste, and finish with the crispy chick peas.