Greek Octopus with Black Eyed Beans
User Reviews
4.9
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
1 hr
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Servings
4 servings
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Course
Main Course
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Cuisine
Greek
Greek Octopus with Black Eyed Beans
Description
Greek Octopus with Black Eyed Beans starts by boiling black-eyed peas briefly and rinsing them, and simmering octopus for a short time to tenderize slightly. The octopus and beans are then combined in a traditional cooking pot, or Dutch oven, with sautéed onions, garlic, carrot, and grated ripe tomatoes for base flavor. The mixture is deglazed with ouzo, imparting an anise-like aroma that complements the seafood.
The dish is seasoned with aromatic herbs including fresh rosemary, bay leaves, and warm spices such as cinnamon stick, star anise, and allspice grains. Covered and baked at 180°C (356°F) for an hour, the ingredients meld together, tenderizing the octopus fully and infusing the beans with the fragrant broth. The final addition of olive oil and freshly ground pepper enriches the dish's flavor and mouthfeel.
This casserole-style recipe is traditionally prepared in a hull, a Greek pot similar to a Dutch oven. If unavailable, a deep pan with a lid suitable for oven use can substitute. The combination of seafood, legumes, and aromatic spices reflects typical Mediterranean flavors. The slow cooking creates a tender, hearty stew ideal as a main course.
Ingredients
- 1 kg octopus
- 500 gr black-eyed peas
- olive oil
- 1 onion
- 1 garlic
- 1 carrot
- 2 tomatoes ripe
- 20 ml ouzo
- 2 bay leaf
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 star anise
- 2-3 grains allspice
- salt
- black pepper
Instructions
- Place the beans in a saucepan with water, bring them to a boil, and pour them into a colander and rinse.
- In a saucepan with boiling water, simmer the octopus for 5 minutes and remove.
- Put the olive oil in the hull* over a low heat and sauté the chopped onion, the leek, the carrot, and finally the garlic.
- Quench with ouzo, add the grated tomato, beans, octopus, herbs and spices.
- Fill with vegetable broth or water till it is just above the beans, cover with the lid and bake for 1 hour in a preheated oven at 180 °C/ 356 ℉.
- Once it comes out of the oven, adding some olive oil and freshly ground pepper and serve.
- Bon appetit!
- * Hull is a traditional Greek cooking pot similar to a Dutch oven. Instead of a hull or Dutch oven you can use a large deep pan with a lid. Just make sure the pan has no plastic and can be safely used in an oven.
Notes
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
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