An elegant and very easy main course: crispy octopus with mashed potatoes and crispy peppers is a perfect idea for a special lunch or for holiday tables, with simple ingredients but a stunning result.
This dish was surprisingly delicious for me: the creaminess of the potatoes, the flavorful tenderness of the octopus, and the slightly spicy and crispy touch of the crispy peppers make everything balanced and very tasty, a gourmet restaurant dish!
🌶️ The crispy peppers, the very special touch of the dish
Crispy peppers are a typical specialty of Basilicata, especially the area of Senise, known for their unique taste and crispy texture. They are naturally sun-dried and then fried for just a few seconds, becoming crumbly and very light. Their intense yet delicate flavor and their crispiness make them perfect for adding character and color to simple dishes, like in this recipe: crumbled over the octopus and mashed potatoes, they add a distinct and irresistible touch that makes the dish truly special.
I add that I had never tasted them before personally and they are really delightful, adding a plus to the dish that you can’t imagine!
How to use crispy peppers
– Crispy peppers crumbled directly from the bag (raw)
Texture: very crunchy and dry, almost like a thin chip.
Flavor: more intense and slightly bitter, with a bold and rustic aftertaste.
Ideal use: as a final touch raw on the dish, to provide contrast with softer textures (like the mashed potatoes) and sweet flavors (like honey glaze).
Effect on the dish: they bring a strong contrast and an “authentic” note, more pronounced, perfect if you want a rustic and bold result.
– Crispy peppers sautéed in a pan (cooked for a few seconds)
Texture: they become crumbly and slightly puffy, less dry but still crunchy.
Flavor: more delicate and fragrant, less bitter, with a more balanced sweetness.
Ideal use: you can use them both as a garnish and crumbled inside sauces or dressings, as they release their aroma in the oil.
Effect on the dish: they add fragrance and softness, blending better with other flavors without creating strong contrasts.
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Always on the TOPIC of octopus recipes, here are some more ideas just below:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All Seasons
Ingredients
- 1.75 lbs octopus
- 14 oz potatoes
- 1 cup milk (add it slowly to adjust creaminess)
- 2 tbsp butter
- 2 crispy peppers
- 2 cloves garlic
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- to taste nutmeg
- to taste salt
- to taste pepper
Tools
- Pans
- Casseroles
Steps
Wash the octopus, bring a pot of lightly salted water to a boil and immerse it. Cook for 45-50 minutes until tender. Let it cool in the cooking water, then drain and cut the tentacles.
Peel and cut the potatoes, boil them in salted water for about 20 minutes.
Drain and mash well with a potato masher, then transfer to a saucepan with warm milk and mix over low heat until you get a soft and creamy puree.
Add the butter, mix and adjust salt.If desired, finish with a grating of nutmeg and if you like, considering the dish, some grated parmesan cheese.
Heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a pan with a clove of garlic. Add the tentacles and brown them over high heat (level 8-9) for 4-5 minutes, until they become golden and crispy.
Crumble the crispy peppers and toast them in a pan with very little oil for a few seconds, until they become crispy without burning.
Pour the hot mashed potatoes onto the plate, place the crispy octopus tentacles on top and finish with the crumbled crispy peppers. Serve this amazing fish dish immediately, truly excellent and gourmet!
Enjoy your meal and happy cooking! Annalisa
