Braised Octopus with Cannellini Beans and Grana Padano

Braised Octopus and Beans
Category: Main Course
Serves: 4

Ingredients

Instructions

1. Prepare the Octopus: Begin by preparing the octopus, which should already be cleaned and gutted. Submerge it in a pot of salted water, allowing it to cook for about 30 minutes. For a more tender texture, you can dip the tentacles into the boiling water 2-3 times before fully immersing the octopus to help curl them up nicely.

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2. Cook the Octopus: After 30 minutes, drain the octopus but keep the cooking water. Chop the octopus into bite-sized pieces, setting them aside.

3. Prepare the Onion: Peel and thinly slice the yellow onion.

4. Sauté the Onion: Heat a little extra virgin olive oil in a large pot and add the onion slices. Sauté until the onion becomes translucent and aromatic. Add sprigs of rosemary for fragrance, stirring as it infuses the oil.

5. Add Grana Padano and Octopus: Next, add chunks of Grana Padano DOP cheese to the pot, allowing it to melt slightly and blend with the flavors. Add the chopped octopus pieces and stir everything together to coat the octopus evenly.

6. Deglaze with Wine: Pour in the white wine and allow it to cook for a few moments, letting the alcohol evaporate, leaving behind a subtle flavor.

7. Add Beans and Simmer: Stir in the pre-cooked cannellini beans, then pour in a small amount of the reserved octopus cooking water to keep the dish moist as it cooks.

8. Simmer the Stew: Cover the pot with a lid and let the mixture simmer on low heat for about 35 minutes. Stir occasionally and check the liquid level—if the stew becomes too dry, simply add more of the octopus cooking water to maintain a slightly soupy consistency.

9. Final Touches: Once the cooking time is up, plate your dish. Drizzle a bit of extra virgin olive oil over the top and add a generous grind of black pepper to finish.

10. Serve and Enjoy: Serve the dish warm, and enjoy this delicious, hearty octopus and bean stew!

This Braised Octopus and Beans recipe combines tender octopus with creamy cannellini beans, creating a wonderfully comforting and flavorful meal. The richness of the Grana Padano cheese and the depth of white wine complement the natural sweetness of the octopus. This dish is perfect for an elevated yet comforting dinner.