Warm Octopus and Sweet Onion Salad with Fresh Basil and Lemon Vinaigrette
- Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients
Lemon-Basil Vinaigrette:
3 cups fresh lemon juice
1 shallot, coarsely chopped
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon honey
1 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
4 basil leaves, chiffonade
Sweet Onion Salad:
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 sweet onions, sliced 1/2-inch thick
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Octopus:
2 pounds octopus, cleaned
3 cups water
2 tablespoons aged sherry vinegar
2 cloves garlic, smashed
10 wine corks
1 bay leaf
1 tablespoon black peppercorns
1/4 cup olive oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
Directions
- For the vinaigrette: Place lemon juice, shallot, garlic and honey in a medium saucepan and reduce to 1/2 cup. Place reduced syrup into a blender, add olive oil and blend until smooth. Pour into a bowl and fold in the basil.
- For the salad: Heat olive oil in a large saute pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until soft and caramelized. Add the vinegar and cook until reduced. Season with salt and pepper.
- Place the octopus, water, vinegar, garlic, wine corks, bay leaf and peppercorns. In a medium saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook until tender, about 3 hours. Remove the octopus from the water and place on a platter lined with paper towels. Heat the grill or grill pan. Cut the octopus into pieces, brush with olive oil, season with salt and pepper and grill for 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
- Assembly: 2 cups mixed greens Lemon vinaigrette Chopped fresh basil and parsley
- Toss greens in a large bowl with 3 tablespoons lemon vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper. Place the greens on a large platter and top with the grilled octopus. Drizzle with more of the vinaigrette, top with the onion slices and sprinkle with the fresh herbs.