An elegant and very easy second course: the crunchy octopus with mashed potatoes and crispy peppers is a perfect idea for a special lunch or festive table, with simple ingredients but an amazing result.
This dish was surprisingly delicious for me: the creaminess of the potatoes, the flavorful softness of the octopus, and the spicy and crunchy touch of the crispy peppers make everything balanced and very tasty, a gourmet restaurant dish!
🌶️ Crispy peppers, the very special touch of the dish
The crispy peppers are a typical specialty of Basilicata, particularly from the area of Senise, known for their unique taste and crunchy texture. They are naturally sun-dried and then fried for a few seconds, becoming crumbly and very light. Their intense yet delicate flavor and crunchiness make them perfect for adding character and color to simple dishes, as in this recipe: crumbled over the octopus and purée, they add a decisive and irresistible touch that makes the dish truly special.
I add that I personally had never tasted them and they are really very pleasant and add a plus to the dish you can’t imagine!
How to use crispy peppers
– Crispy peppers crumbled directly from the bag (raw)
Texture: very crispy and dry, almost like a thin chip.
Flavor: more intense and bitter, with a decisive and rustic aftertaste.
Ideal use: as a final touch raw on the dish, to provide contrast with softer textures (like the MASH) 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 decisive result.
– Crispy peppers pan-fried (cooked for a few seconds)
Texture: they become crumbly and slightly puffed, less dry but still crispy.
Flavor: more delicate and fragrant, less bitter, with a more balanced sweetness.
Ideal use: you can use them both as a garnish and chopped inside sauces or dressings, as they release their aroma in the oil.
Effect on the dish: they add fragrance and softness, harmonizing better with other flavors without creating strong contrasts.
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I opened a recipe channel open to everyone and free on WhatsApp with no notifications and no sound, which you can join by clicking on the link here https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VaHbGIn9cDDig7Cw2x0F and every day you can read a sweet recipe and a savory one!
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Still on the TOPIC of octopus recipes, here are some other ideas just below:
- Difficulty: Easy
- Cost: Medium
- Preparation time: 20 Minutes
- Portions: 2 People
- Cooking methods: Stove
- Cuisine: Italian
- Seasonality: All seasons
Ingredients
- 800 octopus
- 14 oz potatoes
- 3/4 cup milk (add gradually 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
- Saucepans
Steps
Wash the octopus, bring a pot with lightly salted water to a boil, and immerse it. Cook for 45-50 minutes until tender. Leave to 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 hot milk and stir over low heat until obtaining a soft and creamy purée.
Add the butter, stir and adjust the salt.If desired, finish with a grating of nutmeg and, considering the dish, even grated Parmesan.
Heat a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil in a pan with a garlic clove. Add the tentacles and sauté 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 a little oil for a few seconds, until they become crispy without burning.
Pour the hot mashed potatoes onto the plate, place the crunchy octopus tentacles on top, and finish with the crispy pepper crumbs. Serve immediately this outstanding fish dish that is definitely gourmet!
Bon appétit and happy cooking! Annalisa
