Various different
species of Octopus inhabit the waters of the
Indian and Pacific oceans. Commercially, the
most important octopus in the Asian Market in
Cistopus indicus which is brown or grey and
has a greenish hue below the mantle.
Baby octopus
is normally sold Whole. While buying, one should
always test and see whether the flesh is firm
and no smell except that of the sea emanates
from it. It should be stored in the refrigerator
in a plastic bag after it is cleaned.
The edible parts
of a baby octopus are the tentacles and body
sac. To make the octopus ready for eating, the
beak should first be removed. Then the eyes
and the internal organs should be taken out.
A sharp knife should be used to cut off the
head below the eyes. The beak, which is actually
the mouth is found in the center of the tentacles.
Baby octopus
can be used to cook curries, soups and salads.
Curries can give octopus meat a long, slow cooking
process. For soups and salads they should be
cleaned, put into cold lightly salted water
and brought slowly to a boil, simmering for
an hour. The tentacles and body sac are then
cut into small pieces and added to the soup
or salad. If octopus has to be barbecued, precooking
is not required. Small baby octopus are very
tender. These are marinated in soya sauce with
garlic and pepper. Cooking time is short, just
till the flesh becomes opaque.
Frozen baby octopus
(occy) is available in supermarkets. It is better
to buy fresh if possible. The frozen baby octopus
should be first defrosted. The best way to do
this is to put it into cold water. First the
leeks are sorted after being thinly sliced.
Add garlic, chilli, herbs and spices and the
entire thing is sautéed in good olive
oil. First the head is removed and then the
tentacles are halved. These are added to the
sauté mixture and turned frequently.
They will shrivel a bit, release delicious juices
and turn a reddish color. Tomatoes and tomato
paste are also added, along with a dash of brandy,
if it is handy. This is cooked for about 20
minutes and it is ready to eat.
Baby octopus
meat is very firm, slightly chewy, yet tender
with a mild flavor. Octopus is usually sold
Whole either fresh, frozen or cooked. Smoked
and canned octopus are also sold. The octopus
can be eaten raw, deep fried, stewed, boiled
and pickled.
Another delicious
recipes is the braised baby octopus. This is
cooked with garlic, oil and wine, seasoned with
parsley and tomato.
Then we have
the baby octopus Spiedini with beet green salad.
Cut octopus into four quarter and put into cool
water and add a bit of wine. Bring to boil,
lower heat and cook for 25 minutes until tender.
In a mixing bowl, stir orange zest, almonds,
two table spoons olive oil, crushed red pepper
and fennel leaves. Add octopus to this. Heat
up the coals. Tie up octopus evenly into four
skewers and place over coals. Cook till crisp
and slightly charred. Add beet greens with orange
juice and remaining oil and season with sea
salt. Put greens into four plates and place
one speidino over each pile. Lightly shower
with remaining marinade and serve.
Another extremely
tasty variety is baby octopus cooked with elbow
macaroni. This is a Greek recipe which has great
appeal. An Italian variety is octopus cooked
in wine and lemon. known as Octopus.
Adding to the
cooking pots makes the baby octopus very tender.
Octopus can also be cooked with spinach. So
we find that baby octopus in a variety of ways
makes an appetizing and mouth watering dish.
This variety of cephalopods is highly appreciated
and appeals to palates of all nationalities.
For price
quotes and any further information, feel free
to call us today at:
Siam
Canadian Foods Co., Ltd.
9th Floor, Suite 283/44, Home Place Office Building.
283 Thonglor 13, Sukhumvit 55
Kongton Nua, Wattana, Bangkok 10110,
THAILAND
Call us at +66-2-185-3311
Fax: +66-2-185-3317
Email us at info@siamcanadian.com
