Roasted Octopus with Garlic and Olive Oil

Ingredients

• 2 pounds (900g) octopus 2 pounds (900g) octopus
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil 1/2 cup (120ml) olive oil
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 1 lemon, sliced 1 lemon, sliced
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 350 kcal / 1465 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 20g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 2g, 0g
• Protein: 40g
• Fiber: 0g
• Salt: 1g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. 2.
   In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add the octopus and cook for 30-40 minutes until tender.
3. 3.
   Remove the octopus from the pot and let it cool slightly.
4. 4.
   In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over low heat. Add the minced garlic and cook until fragrant, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
5. 5.
   Place the octopus on a baking sheet and brush it with the garlic-infused olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
6. 6.
   Roast the octopus in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until the skin is crispy and golden.
7. 7.
   Remove from the oven and squeeze fresh lemon juice over the octopus.
8. 8.
   Garnish with fresh parsley and serve hot.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Octopus — To ensure tenderness, it's important to cook the octopus until it is fork-tender. You can also tenderize it by freezing it before cooking.
• Olive oil — Choose a high-quality extra virgin olive oil for the best flavor. The garlic-infused olive oil can be made in advance and stored in the refrigerator for up to a week.

Tips & Tricks

• To achieve a crispy skin, make sure to pat the octopus dry before roasting.
• Serve the dish with boiled potatoes and a side of sautéed greens for a complete meal.
• For added flavor, you can marinate the octopus in the garlic-infused olive oil for a few hours before roasting.
• Leftovers can be enjoyed cold in salads or sandwiches.

Serving advice

Serve the Roasted Octopus with Garlic and Olive Oil as a main course, accompanied by boiled potatoes and a side of sautéed greens. Drizzle some of the garlic-infused olive oil over the octopus before serving for an extra burst of flavor.

Presentation advice

Arrange the roasted octopus on a platter, garnish with fresh parsley, and place lemon slices around the dish for an appealing presentation. Serve it family-style to showcase the beautiful colors and textures of the dish.