Spanish Octopus in Spicy Sauce

Spanish Octopus in Spicy Sauce also known as Pulpo en Salsa Picante is a lovely recipe for seafood lovers. The octopus is slowly boiled which not only cooks it but the liquid creates the base for the stunning sauce. This Spanish recipe makes maximum use of simple ingredients many of which, except the octopus, will be in your larder. The colour is from the paprika and red chilli flakes, both of which add a lovely warmth to the dish.

Spanish Octopus in Spicy Sauce

Ideal introduction to Octopus for the uninitiated. This recipe is so tasty, full of flavour and so easy.

4.56 from 47 votes

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Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Spanish

Keyword: Octopus, Sauce, Seafood, Spice, Vegetables

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes minutes

Servings: 6 people

Calories: 214kcal

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Ingredients

 

MetricImperial

• 2 lbs octopus preferably small
• 12 cups water
• 1 large bay leaf
• 1/2 large onion coarsely chopped
• 4 whole peppercorns
• 2 sprigs parsley
• 3 tbsp salt
• 4 tbsp olive oil
• 5 cloves garlic finely chopped
• 1 cup reserved cooking liquid
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes to taste
• salt to taste

Instructions

• Tenderize the octopus by pounding it gently, or by throwing it forcefully into your kitchen sink about 10 times.
  2 lbs octopus
• Combine all the ingredients for the cooking liquid in a pot and bring it to a boil over high heat.
  12 cups water, 1 large bay leaf, 1/2 large onion, 4 whole peppercorns, 2 sprigs parsley, 3 tbsp salt
• Dip the octopus in and out of the boiling liquid quickly three times, then place it in the liquid, return to the boil, and simmer covered for 1 hour.
• Let the octopus cool in the cooking liquid.
• Drain the octopus, reserving 1 cup (250 ml) of the cooking liquid for the sauce.
  1 cup reserved cooking liquid
• Remove and discard the skin from the octopus, cut the tentacles into 1-inch (2 cm) pieces with scissors, and discard the head of the octopus.
• Heat the oil in a skillet over moderate heat and saute the octopus and garlic for 1 to 2 minutes.
  5 cloves garlic, 4 tbsp olive oil
• Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
  2 tsp paprika, 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, salt
• Simmer for 5 minutes and serve hot or at room temperature.

Nutrition

Calories: 214kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 23g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 73mg | Sodium: 3224mg | Potassium: 572mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g