Spicy Octopus Slices with Sesame Soy Sauce

Ingredients

• 500g (1.1 lb) fresh octopus 500g (1.1 lb) fresh octopus
• 2 tablespoons Korean chili paste (Gochujang) 2 tablespoons Korean chili paste (Gochujang)
• 3 cloves garlic, minced 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon honey 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 8g, 1g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 10g, 4g
• Protein: 26g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 1.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Clean the octopus thoroughly and remove the beak and eyes. Slice the octopus into bite-sized pieces.
2. 2.
   In a bowl, combine the Korean chili paste, minced garlic, grated ginger, soy sauce, sesame oil, honey, rice vinegar, and toasted sesame seeds. Mix well to create a marinade.
3. 3.
   Add the octopus slices to the marinade and toss until evenly coated. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
4. 4.
   Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the marinated octopus slices and cook for 2-3 minutes, or until they are cooked through and tender.
5. 5.
   Remove the octopus from the skillet and garnish with sliced green onions.
6. 6.
   Serve the Spicy Octopus Slices with Sesame Soy Sauce as a main dish or as an appetizer with the sesame soy sauce on the side.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Octopus — Ensure that the octopus is fresh and properly cleaned before slicing. Be careful while handling the octopus as it can be slippery.
• Korean chili paste (Gochujang) — Adjust the amount of chili paste according to your spice preference. Add more for extra heat or reduce for a milder flavor.
• Sesame oil — Use toasted sesame oil for a richer and nuttier flavor.

Tips & Tricks

• For a milder version, remove the seeds from the Korean chili paste before adding it to the marinade.
• If you prefer a spicier dish, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes to the marinade.
• Serve the Spicy Octopus Slices with Sesame Soy Sauce on a bed of fresh lettuce leaves for added freshness and crunch.
• Pair this dish with steamed rice or Korean glass noodles for a satisfying meal.
• If fresh octopus is not available, you can use frozen octopus. Thaw it completely before cleaning and slicing.

Serving advice

Serve the Spicy Octopus Slices with Sesame Soy Sauce as a main course, accompanied by steamed rice and a side of kimchi. Alternatively, serve it as an appetizer with toothpicks for easy handling.

Presentation advice

Arrange the octopus slices on a platter, garnish with additional toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions for an appealing presentation. Serve the sesame soy sauce in a small dipping bowl alongside the octopus slices.