Grilled Octopus with Lemon Garlic Olive Oil and Fried Capers

What you see here is not how I started off my evening. 

This is how I started off my evening.

BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGGGHHHHHHHHHHHH

Tell me that does not look like a creature from the movie Alien.  Or as my friend put it: "That looks like an alien autopsy."

I was convinced that this thing was going to come back alive and strangle me to death with its tentacles.

BLAAAAAAAAAARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Ok, I will grow up now.

I did keep running around my apartment screaming like a little girl and throwing up in my mouth a little as I unraveled each long, gangly tentacle. I had no idea what or how I was going to work with this animal.  All of my amazing friends on Twitter gave me suggestions on how to cook the octopus or get that smoky flavor that I love so much in octopus dishes that I order in restaurants.

I closed my eyes and said a little prayer before I lopped off each tentacle, one by one (by one, by one, by one...)

BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGHHHHHHHHHHH

I swear, I'll stop soon.

After some research, I decided to cook the tentacles in simmering water for 45 minutes and then toss it on the grill and cross my fingers that I would be able to get a delicious grilled flavor on an indoor grill. I got some amazing suggestions from my Twitter buddies - indoor smokers, smoked rock salt from New Zealand, liquid smoke, Lapsang Souchong Tea - but unfortunately, I did not have the time to go to the store.  So I just tossed it on the grill and hoped for the best.

As a side note, if you are a big into cooking or food and your are not on Twitter, you are missing out! The community of food lovers is amazing - and if you are ever stumped or need advice on a recipe or a method, ask friends on Twitter and you will have more answers than you know what to do with!  It really is an amazing community.

Back to the grilled octopus.  I just have one word to describe the final results:

HOLLLLLLLLLAAAAAA!!!! 

This worked perfectly! The octopus was meaty and tender with a delicious charred flavor.  The suckers were even slightly crispy - absolute heaven.  Tossed in a flavorful sauce of lemon, garlic and olive oil and paired with succulent tomatoes and crispy, briny capers, the flavors of this dish are dynamic and pop right off of the plate. 

I will say that this dish does serve 2, but it depends on who you are asking.  What you see in the top picture is the whole dish.  The octopus is quite meaty and filling, so I was fine with eating half of that dish for my main. Jack, on the other hand, wanted to eat the entire thing. 

This is a dish I will absolutely make over and over again for two reasons:  1.  It is delicious.  2.  Because it is so fun to run around my apartment swinging tentacles and screaming BLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARGGGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH.

Grilled Octopus

 

Serves 2

(1) 5 lb. Octopus (ask your fishmonger to remove the eyes, ink sac, and beak)

Lemon and Garlic Oil

3 garlic cloves, minced

Juice of 1 lemon (about 2 tablespoons)

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil

Fried Capers

2 tablespoons capers, drained

1 tablespoon flour

Olive Oil for Frying

1 vine-ripened tomato, diced large

2 tablespoons chopped parsley

To Prepare:

Boil enough water in a large Dutch Oven to cover tentacles. Cut off and discard head of octopus.  Place tentacles in boiling water, lower heat to medium low, and simmer for 45 minutes or until tender.  Drain and set aside.

Meanwhile, prepare the lemon and garlic olive oil.  Combine freshly squeezed lemon juice, olive oil, and minced garlic in a blender or whisk vigorously until the sauce has thickened (about 30 seconds).  Set aside.

Heat olive oil in a small frying pan over high heat. Toss capers with flour.  When heat is very hot (about 350 F, add capers and fry until golden brown, about 4 minutes.  Drain on a paper towel and set aside. 

Brush an indoor or outdoor (I used indoor) grill with olive oil and heat over high heat.  Place octopus on grill and grill for 7 minutes on each side.  

Remove octopus from grill and toss in a bowl with tomatoes and lemon and garlic olive oil.  Place in a bowl and top with parsley and capers. Serve warm.

Comments

[Tangled Noodle]

You are a marvel! Sorry I've been so late in visiting - serves me right that I'm missing all the awesome deliciousness going on here. 8-)

[Jude]

I'm imagining it still moving while on the chopping board. Kinda weird how it sucks onto your hands doesn't it?

[Eliana]

You're so brave. I don't think I would have been able to do this. The finished product looks fantastic though.

[Andrea]

Wow. You know, I've never had octopus - and I don't know if I could handle what you did. Kudos. But, I am curious...maybe the first time I'll have to get someone else to make it though...

[natasha]

Just found your blog, amazing!!! Octopus?? Scary, I think if it was on my kitchen table I will run out of my apartment! But everything looks so amazing, please open a restaurant when you get back to the City!!! Or Jersey??

[Jessie "A3 printers" Collin]

Your blog is so exquisitely delicious

[Denise Anne]

As graphic as the pictures of the uncooked octopus are (notice the eye in picture 1), i must say ur a very brave woman. i wud've probably gone running and cryin to "mommy" if i saw that in my kitchen. but since i don't cook, my mum wud've been the one to bring in tht octopus and then i'd have to abandon her for putting mew thru that.. ;)cheers to u!! the end result seems to have been worth it. tho i still wudn't have eaten it out of fright!! :) stay brave!!

[RamonGustav]

Hi I liked your note, add your site to your bookmarks.

[Music_master]

Hi I liked your note, add your site to your bookmarks.

[Antivirus_man]

Hi, I congratulate you on Merry Christmas!

[JOBS_frend]

The new year is already knocking at the door, let it will bring only happiness and joy.

[school_dubl]

Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, a cool site I like

[Realestate]

Happy New Year! Happiness and success in 2011.

[Rental]

Interesting site, always a new topic .. good luck in the new 2011. Happy New Year!

[Rental]

With the new 2011. Year! Congratulations.

[Hotjobs]

Hi Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, a cool site I like

[kevin kirkwood]

Recession is just over and the period of the blowback still seems to loom large.

[MBT Shoes]

It's so nice to have you do all of the research for us. It makes our decision making so much easier!! Thanks.

[nike air max]

I don't know if you guys have seen this yet, but at Target, their brand of goldfish are chickadees! They are so cute and PERFECT for Spring. Anyway, I had to tell ya just in case you hadn't seen them yet! Happy Easter!

[oil of lemon]

This is excellent article. I was looking around for same kind of information adding to my typepad blog. I also added a lemon glaze. I love this recipe.