GRILLED OCTOPUS WITH OLIVE OIL AND HERBS 🐙🔥

📋 Ingredients:

For the Octopus:
2 lbs fresh or frozen octopus, cleaned
1 lemon, halved
3 garlic cloves, smashed
2 bay leaves
Salt and pepper to taste
For the Marinade:
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
1 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

👩‍🍳 Instructions:

Prepare and Boil the Octopus:
1️⃣ If using frozen octopus, thaw completely and rinse under cold water.
2️⃣ In a large pot, bring water to a boil. Add lemon halves, smashed garlic, bay leaves, salt, and pepper.
3️⃣ Submerge the octopus in the boiling water, reduce heat to a simmer, and cook for 45-60 minutes until tender. Drain and let cool slightly.
Marinate the Octopus:
4️⃣ In a bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, parsley, oregano, minced garlic, red pepper flakes (if using), salt, and pepper.
5️⃣ Cut the octopus into manageable pieces (tentacles or bite-sized portions) and toss them in the marinade. Let marinate for 30 minutes to 1 hour.
Grill the Octopus:
6️⃣ Preheat a grill or grill pan to high heat. Lightly oil the grates.
7️⃣ Grill the marinated octopus for 2-3 minutes per side until slightly charred and heated through.
Serve:
8️⃣ Plate the grilled octopus and drizzle with extra olive oil and fresh lemon juice.
Garnish with additional parsley if desired.

⏱ Preparation time: 15 minutes
⏱ Cooking time: 50 minutes
⏱ Total time: ~1 hour 30 minutes (including marinating)
🔥 Calories: ~320 kcal per serving
🍽 Servings: 4