Grilled Octopus with Homemade Mayonnaise
Category: Main Dishes
Servings: 1
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Octopus | 2 kg |
| Red onions | 1 |
| Celery | 1 stalk |
| Carrot | 1 |
| Extra virgin olive oil | To taste |
| Black pepper | To taste |
| Wild fennel | To taste |
| Lemon zest | ½ lemon |
| Extra virgin olive oil (for mayonnaise) | 180g |
| Baby spinach leaves | 100g |
| Celery (for garnish) | 1 stalk |
| Fresh spring onion | 1 |
| Cherry tomatoes | 8 |
| Pink peppercorns | To taste |
| Extra virgin olive oil (for dressing) | To taste |
Instructions:
Preparing the Grilled Octopus:
- Start by using a cleaned and gutted octopus. In a large pan, pour in extra virgin olive oil and add the vegetables—celery, carrot, and onion—roughly chopped. Place the octopus on top of the vegetables.
- Cover the pan with a lid and cook the octopus over low heat for about 60 minutes, allowing it to soften and infuse with the flavors of the vegetables.
- Once the octopus is cooked, remove it from the pan and place it on a cutting board to cool down.
- Set aside 100g of the cooking water. Strain it and transfer it into a tall glass for the mayonnaise.
Making the Mayonnaise:
- For the mayonnaise, start by emulsifying the reserved cooking water. Slowly add the 180g of extra virgin olive oil, a little at a time, while continuously stirring, until the mixture thickens to a smooth and creamy consistency.
Grilling the Octopus:
- Heat a grill pan. Once the octopus has cooled, slice the tentacles into manageable pieces and place them on the hot grill. Grill the octopus for about 10 minutes, ensuring it gets nicely charred and crispy.
Garnishing and Plating:
- Thinly slice the spring onion and chop the cherry tomatoes in half.
- To plate, spoon a generous amount of the homemade mayonnaise onto the plate.
- Place the grilled octopus on top of the mayonnaise, and then add a side of fresh spinach, sliced cherry tomatoes, and spring onion.
- Sprinkle the octopus with wild fennel and a touch of lemon zest. Drizzle the spinach salad with extra virgin olive oil and finish with a pinch of pink peppercorns.
Now, your delicious Grilled Octopus with Homemade Mayonnaise is ready to enjoy! A perfect dish that combines smoky octopus with creamy mayo, complemented by fresh greens and the subtle fragrance of fennel and lemon.
