lauttimur.com - Octopus salad is a delightful appetizer or light main dish that showcases the oceanic essence of octopus. The combination of tender octopus, fresh vegetables, herbs, and tangy marinade creates a burst of flavors and textures in every bite. Making octopus salad can be a refreshing and flavorful dish that highlights the unique taste and texture of octopus. Here's a simple recipe for octopus salad:

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Ingredients:

• 1 medium-sized octopus (about 2-3 pounds)
• 1 lemon, cut into wedges
• 2-3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano, chopped (or use dried oregano)
• Optional: red pepper flakes for some heat
• Optional: cherry tomatoes, halved, for garnish
• Optional: feta cheese, crumbled, for serving

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Instructions:

1. Clean the octopus by removing the head and beak. Rinse well.
2. To tenderize the octopus, you can either blanch it or use a slow-cooking method. For blanching, dip the octopus in boiling water for a few seconds, then place it in ice water. For slow cooking, you can simmer the octopus in water with a bay leaf for about 1-2 hours until tender.
3. Once tender, cut the octopus into bite-sized pieces.
4. In a bowl, combine the minced garlic, olive oil, juice from half of the lemon, salt, pepper, and optional red pepper flakes.
5. Add the octopus pieces to the marinade and let them sit for at least 30 minutes to an hour. This will infuse the octopus with flavor.
6. In a large bowl, combine the marinated octopus, sliced red onion, sliced red bell pepper, diced cucumber, Kalamata olives, chopped parsley, and oregano.
7. Squeeze the remaining lemon wedges over the salad to add a fresh citrus kick.
8. Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined and coated in the marinade.
9. Taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt, pepper, or lemon juice if needed.
10. If desired, add halved cherry tomatoes and crumbled feta cheese to the salad for extra color and flavor.
11. Serve the octopus salad chilled on a platter or individual plates.

Enjoy it as a refreshing and elegant addition to your menu.

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