How do you remove the octopus beak for cooking it?

Seafood and fish are delicious components that are ideal for a special dinner. However, many people end up staying away from the preparation process out of fear of making mistakes – particularly when it comes to more delicate components like an octopus.

In this short article, we will answer the question “How do you remove the octopus beak for cooking it?” and will show you all the procedures for preparing and cooking octopus.

How do you remove the octopus beak for cooking it?

Make a complete circle cut all the way around the beak with a sharp knife. It will be able to cleanly pop out as a result. Extend the beak. Use your thumbs to firmly push the beak’s soft surroundings.

How should I cook an octopus for food?

How to pick octopuses at the market

You have two options when selecting your ingredient: frozen or fresh. As we’ve said in previous advice, we always advise choosing fresh or naturally occurring meals. As a result, you can judge the country of origin and quality of that ingredient more accurately.

As a result, pay attention to the texture and scent of the octopus while also keeping track of how long it will be in the market (a tip is to count the tentacles and always choose the one with the 8 complete ones). 

Now, if you prefer frozen, keep in mind to let it defrost naturally in the refrigerator; never cram it into an oven or microwave.

How and what to use? 

Set aside your kitchen space and the appropriate tools once your octopus is defrosted or prepared to start the process. When cleaning an octopus, a cutting board, a spotless dish towel, and a sharp knife can be your best friends.

Consider the texture and scent of the octopus as well as the length of time it will be in the market (a tip is to count the tentacles and always choose the one with the 8 complete ones). 

Now, if you prefer frozen, keep in mind that it should always defrost gradually in the refrigerator rather than hastily in the oven or microwave.

Additionally, make space in your sink for everything to be ready. It’s crucial to be close to the sink because it plays a crucial function in cleaning.

Cleaning an octopus

We are now prepared to clean the octopus after completing the first steps. Wash everything thoroughly, including the tentacles, starting with running water. 

Additionally, check to see if any suction cups are unclean, such as having sand or dirt in them. You can carefully brush all of those difficult-to-reach corners using a delicate brush.

How to get rid of viscera?

The head of the octopus contains all of its disposable parts and viscera. In order to remove everything at once, make a cut above the eyes. At this point, the ink bag, viscera, and likely all the organs will fall out. 

However, if you feel like you need assistance, rinse everything well under running water. This is especially important if the ink bag explodes. 

To wash the skin more thoroughly and ensure that everything is removed, you can even turn it inside out (a tip: watch out for pieces with cartilage, remove and discard too).

Cooking the octopus

After properly washing your ingredient, it is prepared to be added to the pot. After that, you can use all of your creativity to select the recipe that would work best for you and your family. 

See some inspiration below:

Recipes with octopus

Octopus in garlic with roasted potatoes

Ingredients:

• 3 litres of water
• 1 octopus (1.2) kg
• salt to taste
• 1 kg potato balls, washed well, with skin
• 4 sprigs of rosemary (2 g)
• 4 cloves of garlic (20 g)
• 500 ml of olive oil
• salt and freshly ground white pepper to taste
• 1 1/2 tablespoons (23 g) unsalted butter
• 2 cloves of garlic (10 g), finely sliced

Method of preparation:

1. In a pan, put the water and salt to taste and take it to the high fire.
2. When the water is at full boiling, place the octopus as follows: hold it with your hand or with tongs, partially submerge it in the water and then remove it. Do this 4 to 6 times and then submerge the octopus completely in the water and let it cook for exactly 40 minutes.
3. emove the octopus from the water, discard the head and separate the tentacles.
4. In a pan, place the potatoes, rosemary, garlic, olive oil and salt and pepper to taste and place on low heat for about 40 minutes, or until the potatoes are very soft. 
5. They should be almost covered by the oil and fry slowly. From time to time, stir very carefully.
6. Heat the butter in a frying pan, place the garlic slices and let it brown slightly, stirring the pan a little to prevent the garlic from sticking.
7. Heat a non-stick skillet, grill the octopus tentacles and then drizzle with the garlic butter.
8. Serve the octopus with the potatoes, which should be crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

Provencal octopus

Ingredients:

• 1 kg of octopus
• 150 g of potato
• 200 g of olive oil
• 30 g of parsley
• 100 g red pepper
• 100 g of yellow pepper
• 50 g red onion
• 1 piece of skinless tomato
• 4 pieces of black olives
• 2 candied garlic cloves
• 10 g smoked paprika

Method of preparation:

1. Cook the octopus in salted water for 45 minutes and check the cooking point depending on the size. Reserve and separate the tentacles.
2. Then slice the peppers and onion. Then cook the potatoes with skin and set aside.
3. Peel the skin off the potatoes and mash them with a fork, season with salt, chopped parsley and olive oil.
4. Cut the tomatoes and discard the seeds.
5. Saute the peppers and onion in oil, season with salt and add the tomatoes, olives and garlic cloves.
6. Finally, sauté the octopus seasoned with smoked paprika and salt in the olive oil until golden and hot inside.
7. On a plate, arrange the potato, on top of the vegetables and finish with the octopus tentacles.

Conclusion:

In this short article, we have answered the question “How do you remove the octopus beak for cooking it?” and have shown you all the procedures for preparing and cooking octopus.

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