Braised Octopus With Chickpea Salad And Salsa Verde Recipes

BRAISED OCTOPUS AND TANGY POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• For the octopus: Cut the head off the octopus. Combine the tentacles, parsley, olive oil, oregano, thyme, shallots and garlic in a cast-iron pot over medium-high heat. Cover and gradually bring the mixture to a boil. You don't need to add any liquid to the pot because the octopus will release its own braising liquid. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour.
• Remove the octopus from the heat and let cool in the braising liquid. On a large piece of plastic wrap, lay the tentacles top to tail. Season with salt and cracked pepper. Tightly roll up (it should look like a long sausage). Use more plastic wrap to secure the octopus, if necessary. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to set.
• For the potato salad: Combine the gherkins, capers, oil, mustard, vinegar, potatoes, shallots, chiles, chives and parsley in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, unwrap the octopus and thinly slice. Divide the octopus among plates, drizzle with olive oil and garnish with lemon zest and celery leaves. Serve the potato salad alongside.
• Cook's Note: The octopus head can be reserved and then sliced and eaten with the rest of the dish.

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.

CHICKPEA AND OCTOPUS SALAD

Steps:

• Toss together all ingredients with 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper in a large bowl and let stand 10 minutes to allow flavors to develop.

BRAISED OCTOPUS AND TANGY POTATO SALAD

Steps:

• For the octopus:.
• Cut the head off the octopus. Combine the tentacles, parsley, olive oil, oregano, thyme, shallots and garlic in a cast-iron pot over medium-high heat. Cover and gradually bring the mixture to a boil. You don't need to add any liquid to the pot because the octopus will release its own braising liquid. Once it comes to a boil, reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer for 1 hour.
• Remove the octopus from the heat and let cool in the braising liquid. On a large piece of plastic wrap, lay the tentacles top to tail. Season with salt and cracked pepper. Tightly roll up (it should look like a long sausage). Use more plastic wrap to secure the octopus, if necessary. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours (or overnight) to set.
• For the potato salad:.
• Combine the gherkins, capers, oil, mustard, vinegar, potatoes, shallots, chiles, chives and parsley in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, unwrap the octopus and thinly slice. Divide the octopus among plates, drizzle with olive oil and garnish with lemon zest and celery leaves. Serve the potato salad alongside.
• Cook's Note:.
• The octopus head can be reserved and then sliced and eaten with the rest of the dish.

SPICY SOUTHWEST CHOPPED SALAD WITH SALSA VERDE

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with water and bring to a rolling boil; add the corn and boil 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the corn and allow to cool until cool enough to handle. Cut the corn off of the cob and place into a large mixing bowl; set aside.
• Place the tomatillos, cilantro, jalapeno, onion, garlic, salt, and 4 teaspoons of lime juice into a blender. Pulse until the vegetables have been finely chopped; set aside. Toss the avocado with 1 teaspoon of lime juice and mix with the corn, cabbage, black beans, and bell pepper.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate. Season the chicken breasts with Cajun seasoning.
• Cook the chicken breasts on the preheated grill until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 6 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Set the breasts aside until cool enough to handle; cut into bite sized pieces.
• Divide the lettuce leaves onto 4 plates. Mound the avocado mixture on top of the lettuce, followed by the chicken. Sprinkle with cotija cheese and garnish with lime wedges to serve.

SALSA VERDE BRAISED PORK

Steps:

• Trim excess pork fat. Put meat in a large casserole or Dutch oven with salsa, onion, broth, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and oregano. Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat, cover, and simmer until meat is very tender when pierced, about 3 hours.
• Preheat oven to 375°. With 2 wide spatulas, transfer meat to a rimmed baking pan. Bake until richly browned, 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, skim and discard fat from pan juices. Boil juices, stirring, until reduced to 2 3/4 cups, 8 to 10 minutes.
• With 2 forks, tear meat into large shreds. Add to pan and stir in chopped cilantro. Season with salt. Spoon into a serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro leaves. Serve with tortillas and more salsa verde.
• Slow-cooker Salsa Verde Pork: Put trimmed pork in a slow cooker (5 to 6 qt.) and turn heat to high. In a pan, bring salsa, onion, broth, cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and oregano to a boil. Pour over pork, cover, and cook until meat is very tender when pierced and registers at least 165° on an instant-read thermometer, at least 7 or up to 9 hours. Continue recipe with step 2, using a large pot for step 3.