~ Octopus is the kind of sea food that can be served hot or cold, as an appetizer or as a main dish.
~ When you buy fresh octopus, if is not beaten already, it has to be beaten well to tenderize the meat.
~ You can buy the frozen octopus which is beaten and cleaned.
~ Ingredients:
~ 1 octopus of about kilo
~ 1/2 a kilo of grated tomatoes
~ 1/2 a kilo of very small onions
~ 1/2 a cup of wine vinegar
~ 1/2 a cup of olive oil
~ 4-5 cloves finely chopped garlic
~ 2-3 bay leaves
~ 1-2 cinnamon sticks
~ 1 cup of hot water
~ 10-12 black pepper corns
~ Salt and pepper to taste
~ Wash octopus well, separate tentacles from the head and boil in salted water for about 30 minutes.
~ Drain the water and when the octopus has cooled down cut in smaller pieces.
~ Place the oil in a sauce pan and heat well.
~ Add the garlic and all the octopus, fry for about 10 minutes and then add the vinegar.
~ Stir for a while and add the rest of the ingredients (except for the onions).
~ Lower the heat, cover the sauce pan and simmer for about an hour.
~ Add the small onions and simmer for about another 30 minutes or until the octopus is tender and the onions are cooked.
~ Serve the dish while is hot. ~ Good luck and bon appétit.
