Squid games!

BeanHead

Got an octopus this morning that I am preparing to grill tomorrow (boiling today to dry overnight in the fridge) and picked up some squid for our lunch today. Olive oil, pepper, fresh sage, fresh oregano, fresh rosemary, dry red pepper flakes and dry tarragon. Cut a grill mat in half to keep the tentacles from falling through the grate. 3-5 min each side at 350 direct. 

GrateEggspectations

Very cool cook. Looking forward to seeing the results of the octopus.

johnmitchell

Awesome!!! Great to see something that I wouldn’t prepare being cooked. Standing by😋

BeanHead

I personally find octopus skin to be kind of gelatinous. So I start by removing the head (that I clean, slice, and save in the freezer for cioppino). Some folks like the jello texture, so if it is your first cook experiment and just peel half the tentacles and see which you prefer. If you have ever pulled the membrane off the back of ribs this is about the same, but you don’t need as much pressure. I use a butter knife to wiggle under the edge to get a grip. I don’t pull skin from the tentacle side. 

BeanHead

Before peeling I start water boiling with a couple cloves of garlic, a couple bay leaves, and a long piece of orange peel (enough for three Negroni’s), sea salt the water so it is as salty as your regular pasta water. I have smallish hands so I add the legs four at a time to the pot, if you bounce them in and out of the hot water a few times the tips will curl nicely. I simmer till they are fork tender (about 30 min for this size ~3lbs). Once they drain I air dry them on a rack in the fridge overnight or for several hours. This is optional, I have thrown them in the coals as soon as they have come out of the water, but I think the air dry helps them pick up more smoke flavor. 

Dyal_SC

Wow, looks like a fun cook!

JohnInCarolina

Love this.

BeanHead

Preheat to about 400. Roll the octopus in a bit of olive oil. Throw some wet apple wood chips on a hot spot and lay the tentacles on top. Cook for 2-3 min on each side or until charred. Served here on a beet and yogurt salad with parsley and feta. The beet was cooked yesterday in foil on the coals. 

Legume

This speaks to me. Love octopus but have never cooked it...yet

Botch

Very cool cook!  

BeanHead

Also husband is not a fan of beets so he got his octopus with a side of poppers. 

Dyal_SC

Atomic Octopus Turds… 🤔 I like it. 

BeanHead

Give it a shot @Legume I would be curious to learn if you are camp skin on or off. 

Legume

I've had it both ways and the skin on didn't appeal, but that was in a restaurant and I'd have to cook both side by side to know if it's me or how the restaurant cooked it.

Buckwoody Egger

impressive and unique, thanks for sharing