Octopus is rightfully one of the most popular seafood. It is not only very useful, as it contains a huge percentage of protein, but also incredibly tasty. Octopus has a unique, magnificent sour-sweet taste. But in order to get the expected result, you need to know how to cook the octopus correctly. There are a number of some nuances and rules that must be followed in order for octopus dishes to be delicate and tasty.
When buying octopuses, you should definitely pay attention to their size. The most suitable for cooking are octopuses of medium and small sizes. The eyes of octopuses should not be cloudy. If the mollusks are sold not whole, but already cut, then you need to carefully look at the tentacles of the octopus. As a rule, the color of the tentacles of the fresh octopus is brown and shiny. There should not be any spots and scuffs on the skin of a marine inhabitant.
When planning to cook octopuses, do not forget about time, because, having overexposed it on the fire, instead of a delicious dinner, you can get a tasteless rubber something. In order for the meat to be easily cut, the octopus should be left in the freezer for a while.
Every lover of marine delicacies should know how to cook an octopus. To begin with, you must certainly rinse it well in running warm water. You need to note the cooking time after the water boils. The best option is 5 minutes of cooking. In this case, the octopus meat will be crispy and taste good. If desired, you can cook it for longer, then the meat will become softer and more tender. Also, the cooking time directly depends on the size of the octopus: the larger it is, the longer it will take to cook. After the meat has cooled, the skin is removed from it. Now it is ready to cook any dish of your choice.
In order to cook a stewed octopus, for 4 servings you will need the following ingredients:
- octopus - 1 kg;
- medium tomatoes - 4 pcs.;
- steamed rice (washed) - 175 g;
- garlic - 1 tooth .;
- onions - 1 pc.;
- leek - 1 pc.;
- salt / pepper - to taste;
- olive oil - 6 tablespoons;
- saffron (powder) - on the tip of a knife;
- thyme, fennel, bay leaf.
Cooking time: 2 hours
How to cook an octopus
Olive oil is heated in a heat-resistant glass dish. Then, the octopus, cut into small pieces, should be lowered into the container. To stir thoroughly. Add pepper and salt. Fry the octopus meat until golden brown. Throw leeks and onions in a saucepan. They also need to be brought to goldenness. As soon as the onions are fried, tomatoes, garlic and saffron should be poured into the bowl. Fill the contents with water. The meat is stewed under a closed lid for about one hour over low heat. Water is constantly being gradually added. About 20 minutes before putting out the rice, put rice in the pan. Do not mix!
This dish is served hot right in the dishes in which it was prepared.
There are countless recipes that describe how to cook an octopus, the main thing is the desire to please your household and faith in your culinary abilities.