Name: Pan-Seared Octopus with Italian Vegetable Salad
Total time: 150 min
Ingredients: 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; One 2 1/2-pound octopus—cleaned, head and tentacles separated; 6 garlic cloves; 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper; One 750-milliliter bottle dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc; 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar; 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice; 1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano; 1 fennel bulb—halved lengthwise, cored and thinly sliced; 1 medium carrot, thinly sliced crosswise; 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced; 3 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal; One 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained; Kosher salt; 1/2 cup lightly packed parsley leaves; 4 large radicchio leaves; Fennel fronds, for garnish (optional)

Pan-Seared Octopus with Italian Vegetable Salad

5.0

(2)

1 Review

"Octopus is on a wave of coolness," says Jon Shook. "It's the new L.A. protein." Vinny Dotolo describes this salad's genesis: "I originally wanted to do an octopus sandwich, with the flavors of an Italian sub, but the bread got in the way." Now he sears the octopus, braises it in white wine until tender and tosses it with chickpeas and a tangy mix of marinated carrots, fennel and celery. Slideshows: Salads with Seafood

Jon Shook

and Vinny Dotolo

Updated on January 16, 2018

Pan-Seared Octopus with Italian Vegetable Salad — Photo: © Con Poulos

Active Time:

45 mins

Total Time:

2 hrs 30 mins

Yield:

Ingredients

1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
One 2 1/2-pound octopus—cleaned, head and tentacles separated
6 garlic cloves
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper
One 750-milliliter bottle dry white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
1 fennel bulb—halved lengthwise, cored and thinly sliced
1 medium carrot, thinly sliced crosswise
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
3 scallions, thinly sliced on the diagonal
One 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
Kosher salt
1/2 cup lightly packed parsley leaves
4 large radicchio leaves
Fennel fronds, for garnish (optional)

Directions

In a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the octopus and cook over moderately high heat, turning, until lightly browned all over, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer the octopus to a plate. Add the garlic cloves to the casserole and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until lightly browned, about 2 minutes. Add the crushed red pepper and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 20 seconds. Carefully add the white wine and bring to a boil. Return the octopus to the casserole; if necessary, add up to 1 cup of water to cover the octopus. Cover the casserole and braise over moderately low heat until very tender, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Transfer the octopus to a plate and let cool completely.
Meanwhile, in a large bowl, whisk the red wine vinegar with the lemon juice, oregano and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the fennel, carrot, onion, scallions, chickpeas and a generous pinch of salt and mix well. Let stand for 30 minutes or up to 4 hours, stirring occasionally. Stir in the parsley and season the salad with salt.
Using a paper towel, wipe the purple skin off the octopus tentacles, leaving the suckers intact. Cut the tentacles in half lengthwise, then cut them into 3-inch lengths. Cut the head into 1 1/2-inch pieces.
In a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Add the octopus cut side down and cook over moderately high heat until well-browned on the bottom, about 1 minute. Turn the octopus and cook for 20 seconds longer. Transfer the seared octopus to a paper towel—lined plate to blot any excess oil and season lightly with salt. Transfer the octopus to plates. Fill the radicchio leaves with the Italian salad and set beside the octopus. Garnish with fennel fronds and serve.

Make Ahead

The braised octopus can be refrigerated for up to 3 days.

Suggested Pairing

Pair with a citrusy, full-bodied Italian white.