Name: Spanish Octopus in Spicy Sauce - Pulpo en Salsa Picante
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 lbs octopus (preferably small, 900 g); 12 cups water (3 L); 1 large bay leaf; 1/2 large onion (coarsely chopped); 4 whole peppercorns; 2 sprigs parsley; 3 tbsp salt (45 ml); 4 tbsp olive oil (60 ml); 4-6 cloves garlic (finely chopped); 1 cup reserved cooking liquid (250 ml); 2 tsp paprika (10 ml); 1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or to taste, 1 ml); salt (to taste)

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Spanish Octopus in Spicy Sauce - Pulpo en Salsa Picante

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

4.58 from 45 votes

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Course: Main Dish

Cuisine: Spanish

Keyword: Sauce, Seafood

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Servings: people

Calories: 214kcal

Ingredients

2 lbs octopus preferably small, 900 g
12 cups water 3 L
1 large bay leaf
1/2 large onion coarsely chopped
4 whole peppercorns
2 sprigs parsley
3 tbsp salt 45 ml
4 tbsp olive oil 60 ml
4-6 cloves garlic finely chopped
1 cup reserved cooking liquid 250 ml
2 tsp paprika 10 ml
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes or to taste, 1 ml
salt to taste

Instructions

Tenderize the octopus by pounding it gently, or by throwing it forcefully into your kitchen sink about 10 times.
Combine all the ingredients for the cooking liquid in a pot and bring it to a boil over high heat.
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.
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.
Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a boil.
Simmer for 5 minutes and serve hot or at room temperature.