Food & Drink

How To Make Octopus Spanish Style

Octopus Spanish Style Recipe. A Mediterranean twist to a classic seafood staple - drizzle with olive oil and serve with a glass of white wine. Savour our Octopus Spanish Style recipe. Enlarge

How To Make Octopus Spanish Style

Octopus Spanish Style Recipe. A Mediterranean twist to a classic seafood staple - drizzle with olive oil and serve with a glass of white wine. Savour our Octopus Spanish Style recipe.

Prep:
30m
Cook:
1h:45m
Total:
2h:15m
Serves:
4

Step 1: You will need...

  • 1 kg octopus
  • water
  • 4 tbsp sherry vinegar
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 tbsp whole black peppercorns
  • a few sprigs of thyme
  • 1 tbsp sweet paprika
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 1 tbsp parsley
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • the juice of 1 lemon
  • salt
  • 1 large saucepan
  • 1 small saucepan
  • 1 slotted spoon
  • 1 spoon
  • 1 tray
  • 1 chopping board
  • 1 knife

Step 2: Cook the octopus

Into the large saucepan place the octopus, cover with water and add the vinegar, garlic, bay leaves, peppercorns and thyme. Simmer on a high temperature (removing any froth), reduce the temperature and simmer for a further hour and a half.

Step 3: Check the octopus

Using a knife, check to see if the octopus is ready. If the knife slides in with little resistance, then the octopus is ready.

Step 4: Remove the octopus and cool

Using the slotted spoon to drain any excess water, remove the octopus from the large saucepan and place onto a tray.

Step 5: Make the dressing

Pour the oil into a frying pan and heat over a low temperature. Add the garlic and stir. Before the garlic browns, add the paprika, lemon juice and parsley. Remove the frying pan from the heat, stir well and allow to cool down.

Step 6: Slice the octopus

Ensuring that the octopus has completely cooled down, cut the tentacles at an angle into thin slices.

Step 7: Season and dress the octopus

Put the octopus on a large serving dish - arrange in rows, season with salt and pour over the dressing. A traditional Spanish tapa, that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetiser or meal best accompanied by a large glass of chilled white wine.

Step 8: Serve

A traditional Spanish tapa, that can be enjoyed as a snack, appetiser or meal best accompanied by a large glass of chilled white wine.