Drunken Octopus Stew

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (900g) octopus, cleaned and tentacles separated 2 pounds (900g) octopus, cleaned and tentacles separated
• 1 cup (240ml) dry white wine 1 cup (240ml) dry white wine
• 2 tablespoons olive oil 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped 1 onion, finely chopped
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 carrot, diced 1 carrot, diced
• 2 tomatoes, diced 2 tomatoes, diced
• 2 bay leaves 2 bay leaves
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon dried thyme 1 teaspoon dried thyme
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish) Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 30g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the octopus and cook for 5 minutes to tenderize. Drain and set aside.
2. 2.
   In the same pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, bell pepper, and carrot. Sauté until the vegetables are softened.
3. 3.
   Add the tomatoes, bay leaves, paprika, oregano, thyme, salt, and pepper. Stir well to combine.
4. 4.
   Pour in the white wine and bring to a simmer. Add the octopus back to the pot.
5. 5.
   Reduce the heat to low, cover, and let the stew simmer for 1 to 1.5 hours, or until the octopus is tender.
6. 6.
   Remove the bay leaves and adjust the seasoning if needed.
7. 7.
   Serve the Drunken Octopus Stew hot, garnished with fresh parsley. Enjoy with crusty bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Octopus — To ensure tenderness, it's important to either cook the octopus quickly or simmer it for a longer period of time. In this recipe, we simmer the octopus for an hour and a half to achieve a tender texture.

Tips & Tricks

• If you prefer a spicier stew, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the broth.
• For an extra burst of flavor, squeeze some lemon juice over the stew before serving.
• If you can't find octopus, you can substitute it with squid or even shrimp for a different twist on the dish.
• Make sure to clean the octopus thoroughly before cooking to remove any sand or debris.
• Leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days and make a delicious next-day meal.

Serving advice

Serve the Drunken Octopus Stew in deep bowls, allowing guests to savor the rich broth and tender octopus. Accompany it with a side of crusty bread to soak up the flavorful juices.

Presentation advice

Garnish the stew with a sprinkle of fresh parsley to add a pop of color. Serve it in rustic ceramic bowls to enhance the traditional feel of the dish.