Potato and Octopus Salad
One of my favorite dishes in the whole world is Greek style octopus salad, or “htapodi salata”, which combined with boiled potatoes, green onions, parsley and extra virgin olive oil is fabulous served as a side or main dish.
At the beginning of Greek Orthodox Lent, Kathara Deftera or Clean Monday, I prepared several dishes and told you that I was going to post them during this period of lent.
However, due to all the events and other things popping up I have delayed. I shall try to post the other recipes within the next few days.
For those who do not know how to clean an octopus, you can find a link at the end of the post.
I have read that some people use a cork while cooking an octopus. I have never used one and the octopus becomes very tender without it.
How to cook an octopus
The best method to cook an octopus is to cook it in its own juices.
Heat well, a large enough pot to fit the octopus (with no liquid in it) and when it is hot enough put the octopus in it.
As soon as it starts sweating out a pinkish to red liquid, lower heat and cover with the lid. After a while turn it on the other side and keep checking it regularly as it may stick to the pot. Continue simmering until almost all the liquid is absorbed. You will notice that the octopus will shrink considerably as it releases its fluid. No salt should be added.
This will take about 15 – 20 minutes.
When all the liquid is absorbed, the octopus is cooked.
Set aside to cool and cut it into small pieces.
At this stage you can grill it or make it "ladorigani" (meaning olive oil and oregano), by adding olive oil, oregano, capers, salt pepper and vinegar, pickle it by adding vinegar, olive oil and spices, oregano and fresh rosemary or continue cooking it with pasta).
Note: Fresh octopus is less tender and if at the point that it has absorbed all its juices is hard to pierce with a fork, add a small amount of water (about ¼ cup) and continue cooking until it becomes soft and tender to the fork.
Potato and Octopus Salad
One of my favorite dishes in the whole world is this Greek style potato and octopus salad, or “patatosalata me htapodi”, which combined with boiled potatoes, green onion, parsley and extra virgin olive oil is fabulous served as a side or main dish.
Ingredients
- 1 octopus fresh or frozen (about 1 kilo)
- ½ cup white dry wine
- ½ cup olive oil
- A few peppercorns
- 3 - 4 bay leaves
For the salad:
- 2 medium potatoes, cooked
- 2- 3 spring onions, finely chopped
- 1 tablespoon capers
- Parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Oregano (optional)
- Lemon juice
Instructions
- Cook the octopus as above. When there is only a little bit of pink liquid left, add the olive oil, the wine, bay leaves and peppercorns (I do not add salt) and when it begins boiling lower heat and simmer until the liquid has been reduced to just a few tablespoons.
- Remove to a platter but keep the juices.
- Cut the octopus into small pieces.
- Meantime bake the potatoes with skin on, cooking them either in the oven or in the microwave, until soft. You can also steam them in the basket of the pressure cooker (again with skin on), for about 15 minutes.
- When they can be handled, peel and cut them into small pieces.
- While they are still hot add the olive oil and mix.
- Add the leftover juices as well as the remaining ingredients and mix.
Nutrition Information
Yield 4 Serving Size 1Amount Per Serving Calories 505Total Fat 41gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 34gCholesterol 20mgSodium 234mgCarbohydrates 22gFiber 3gSugar 1gProtein 9g
"These values are automatically calculated and offered for guidance only. Their accuracy is not guaranteed."
You can find many more Greek recipes in my cookbook "More Than A Greek Salad", and "Mint, Cinnamon & Blossom Water, Flavours of Cyprus, Kopiaste!" both available on all Amazon stores.
Other relevant recipes:
How to Clean an Octopus (step by step)
Htapodi me Makaronaki Kofto (Octopus with Pasta)
Htapodi me Hilopites (Octopus with Mushrooms and homemade pasta)
PIN FOR LATER
Kopiaste and Kali Orexi,
Ivy, I'm glad to hear you pointed out that you don't really need a cork lol. I'm interested to test both methods one day. This sounds great, consider it bookmarked.
This is my favourite way to enjoy octopus Ivy. Loive oil, lemon juice, rigani...beautiful...great post!
Pixie, I've been cooking octopus probably before you were born. No cork needed, believe me.
I've seen several octopus recipes all around the blog-o-sphere lately. I have only prepared it once and it was kinda chewy, which it wasn't a bad thing, but it didn't taste like my mom used to make them.
When I make it again, I am going to use your recipe. It looks delish and I will follow your instructions and no cork!
I used to live across the street from a well known Greek restaurant here in the valley. I loved their marinated octopus. When in Greece this dish was elevated to heavenly proportion using fresh octopus. You salad now pushes it over the top:D
You are right fresh octopus is better but the frozen one is not bad either.
@ Peter G. This is the Greek way to serve octopus. Delicious.
@ Ben. No cork and it will still melt in your mouth.
I agree with you completely about the cork - it makes no difference. I love octopus, and this looks great!
Thank you Laurie, not to mention that the cork may decentigrate while cooking.
This is one delicious octopus dish Ivy. I have never cleaned octopus myself so thanks for sharing the tps 🙂
Rosie x
Hi Ivy, this looks delicious. I like octopus, but I am not sure if I am up to preparing my own from scratch yet.
Rosie and Cakelaw. If you like octopus then you can try the frozen ones. They are almost ready for you to use. The stomach sac is cleaned and the only thing you do is just cut and through away and just find the beak in the middle of all the tentacles, and cut it away.
Ooohhh I love octopus Ivy!!! And didn't know about this way of cooking it. I'm bookmarking the recipe right away 😀
Here in Spain it's not the time for octopus yet and I rather have it fresh, so I will wait a little bit for that one. Have a great weekend!!!
I am glad you liked it Nuria.
I think the flavors of this dish sound wonderful. I've never had octopus before.
Looking at octopus freaks me out! They're so weird looking.