Best 2 Pintxo De Pulpo A La Gallega Recipes
Embark on a culinary journey to the vibrant shores of Galicia, Spain, where flavors dance and seafood takes center stage. Among the region's delectable offerings, the Pintxo de Pulpo a la Gallega stands out as a true masterpiece. This tantalizing dish, also known as Galician octopus skewer, is a symphony of textures and flavors that will transport your taste buds to the heart of this culinary haven. Prepared with meticulously selected octopus, lovingly cooked to tender perfection and infused with the essence of paprika, garlic, and olive oil, each bite promises an explosion of savory delight. Accompanying this culinary gem are three additional recipes that will further immerse you in the rich tapestry of Galician cuisine: Arroz con Pulpo (Octopus Rice), Pulpo a la Gallega (Galician Octopus), and Ensalada de Pulpo (Octopus Salad). These culinary creations, each with its unique charm, showcase the versatility and sheer deliciousness of octopus, a seafood treasure of the Galician coast.
Let's cook with our recipes!
PULPO A LA GALLEGA
Pulpo a la Gallega or Pulpo a Feira (Galician name meaning 'fair style octopus) is a traditional dish from the region of Galicia. It is the main dish during the patron saint festivities of the city of Lugo. Cooking fresh octopus is not such a daunting process, the key to it, is to get the right timing on the cooking of the octopus, so you don't end up with the octopus being too tough or too soft. Fresh octopus needs to be tenderised before cooking by pounding it heavily to avoid the dish becoming rubbery. Traditionally, this is done by hitting the octopus against a wall or stone. At home, you don't need to do this...freezing the octopus helps the meat tenderise. Traditionally, pulpo is cooked in a copper cauldron, allowing 12 minutes per 1kg of octopus. Pulpo a la gallega tends to be paired well with a young red wine, ideally slightly chilled.
Provided by Javier De La Hormaza
Categories Recipes, Tapas Recipes
Yield 4 people
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- The day before, remove the octopus from the freezer and allow it to defrost in the fridge. Before cooking, it is important to clear the head, remove the eyes and mouth and wash the octopus well.
- Bring a large pot of water to the boil with a pinch of salt, when the water begins to boil you need to grab the octopus from the head and 'scare it' by dipping it in the water 3 times and pulling it out. This makes the octopus stiffen, so the skin does not fall during the cooking process and makes the tips of the tentacles curl. The tentacles are preferred over the head, which sometimes is discarded. Cook your octopus between 20 and 25 minutes on a medium heat. Make sure the octopus is covered with water throughout the cooking. Towards the end of the cooking process, you can check if the octopus is ready by piercing the thicker tentacles with a wooden skewer to check if they are tender enough. Octopus should be al dente, just like pasta. You should feel the same resistance as a cooked potato. Once the cooking time is complete, allow the octopus to rest in the cooking liquid for a few minutes and drain onto a serving platter.
- Whilst you cooking the octopus, add the potatoes and cook until soft. Allow them to cool down slightly.
- To serve the dish, cut the octopus tentacles and potatoes into ½ an inch-thick slices. Pulpo a la gallega is traditionally served in a wooden plate with a base of sliced potatoes, topped with slices of octopus. Season with sea salt, smoked paprika and a good drizzle of quality extra virgin olive oil.
PULPO A LA GALLEGA
If you've never tried octopus, this is a great way to start. Delicious, tender and mouthwatering. This is truly one of my favorite ways to eat octopus.
Provided by canarygirl
Categories Octopus
Time 40m
Yield 4-6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Fill a large soup pot with water, enough to submerge the octopus.
- Cut onion in half and add to water, along with the bay leaves.
- Some will say that also adding a wine cork (yes a wine cork) will ensure a tender octopus.
- You are within your rights to use your culinary judgement on that particular point.
- hehe Bring the water to boiling, and submerge the octopus 3 or 4 times, to scald it basically.
- Bring the water back to a boil and place the octopus in the water.
- This time we will leave it in there.
- Reduce heat to a simmer, and cook the octopus 20 minutes-- a larger octopus will require longer cooking time-- up to 45 minutes.
- Remove from water, and slice diagonally into rounds (ovals really).
- The slices should be about 1/2" thick.
- Presentation: Arrange potato rounds on a plate or wooden serving tablet and top each with a slice of octopus.
- The potato should be about the same size as the octopus slices, if not, then cut potatoes accordingly.
- Liberally sprinkle paprika and sea salt over all and drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
- You may wish to garnish with chopped parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 281.2, Fat 2.5, SaturatedFat 0.6, Cholesterol 108.8, Sodium 528.8, Carbohydrate 26.7, Fiber 3, Sugar 2.1, Protein 36.3
Tips:
- Select the Freshest Octopus Possible: The quality of your octopus will greatly impact the final dish. Look for firm, plump octopus with bright, clear eyes.
- Tenderize the Octopus Properly: Boiling or braising the octopus until it is fall-apart tender is essential. Use a pressure cooker or slow cooker to save time and ensure even cooking.
- Don't Overcook the Potatoes: The potatoes should be cooked through but still firm. Overcooked potatoes will become mushy and ruin the texture of the dish.
- Use High-Quality Olive Oil: Extra virgin olive oil is the best choice for this dish. It will add a rich, flavorful base to the sauce.
- Season Generously: Don't be afraid to add plenty of salt, pepper, and paprika to the potatoes and octopus. This will help to enhance their natural flavors.
Conclusion:
Pintxo de Pulpo a la Gallega is a classic Spanish tapa that is sure to impress your guests. With its combination of tender octopus, flavorful potatoes, and smoky paprika sauce, this dish is a true delight. Follow these tips to ensure that your Pintxo de Pulpo a la Gallega turns out perfectly every time. ¡Buen provecho!
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