Tender and Chewy Baby Octopus Salad: A Healthy and Delicious Diet Meal
How to Make Baby Octopus Salad Inspired by Sam Kim’s Recipe | A Healthy Diet Dish with Fresh Vegetables and Boiled Potatoes
Inspired by Chef Sam Kim’s octopus salad recipe, I decided to create a delightful baby octopus salad using freshly caught octopuses. This salad offers a wonderful combination of chewy baby octopus, creamy potatoes, and crisp vegetables. With a simple, zesty dressing and the addition of boiled potatoes, it transforms into a satisfying and healthy meal perfect for a diet.
Salad Ingredients- 1 medium potato
- 25g peas
- 3 fresh baby octopuses
- Mixed salad greens (as much as you like)
- Salt (for boiling)
- 2 Tbsp soju (for boiling baby octopus)
- 1 Tbsp vinegar (for boiling baby octopus)
Zesty Dressing Ingredients- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 Tbsp – 1/3 Tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
- A pinch of whole black peppercorns (freshly ground is best!)
- 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup (adjust sweetness to your preference)
- A pinch of dried Italian herbs
- A pinch of parsley flakes (for garnish)
- 3 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 1 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
- 1/2 Tbsp – 1/3 Tbsp salt (adjust to taste)
- A pinch of whole black peppercorns (freshly ground is best!)
- 1-2 Tbsp maple syrup (adjust sweetness to your preference)
- A pinch of dried Italian herbs
- A pinch of parsley flakes (for garnish)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the potatoes, which will form the base of your salad. Wash them thoroughly, peel them, and then dice them into bite-sized cubes, slightly smaller than a full bite.
Step 2
Let’s make a delicious dressing for your salad! In a bowl, combine the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, salt, and whole black peppercorns. Whisk them together until well combined. Next, add the maple syrup and dried Italian herbs for sweetness and aroma, and whisk again until all ingredients are evenly incorporated. Taste the dressing and adjust the amount of salt or maple syrup according to your preference.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare the water for boiling the vegetables and baby octopus. Fill a pot with plenty of water and bring it to a boil. Once boiling, add a pinch of coarse salt to raise the boiling point of the water. This little trick helps the vegetables stay crisp and vibrant.
Step 4
When the water comes to a rolling boil, add the peas and cook for about 3-4 minutes until they are tender. Drain the cooked peas, rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process and cool them down, then set them aside in a colander to drain off any excess water.
Step 5
After removing the peas, if the water is still boiling, add the diced potatoes. Cook the potatoes for about 10-15 minutes, or until they are tender enough to be easily pierced with a fork. Similar to the peas, rinse the cooked potatoes under cold water to cool them and drain them well in a colander. This step ensures the potatoes hold their shape and don’t become mushy.
Step 6
Now it’s time to cook the baby octopus. Add 2 tablespoons of soju and 1 tablespoon of vinegar to the boiling water. Soju and vinegar are key ingredients that help remove any fishy odor from the baby octopus and give them a wonderfully firm and chewy texture. Add the prepared baby octopus and boil for about 1-2 minutes over high heat. Be careful not to overcook them, as they can become tough.
Step 7
Once the baby octopus is cooked, immediately rinse them under cold running water to stop the cooking and cool them down. Drain them thoroughly in a colander to remove all excess water. Water left on the octopus can make your salad watery and dilute the flavors.
Step 8
With the water removed, cut the baby octopus into bite-sized pieces. You can separate the heads and tentacles, and slice the bodies into rings or halve them, depending on your preference.
Step 9
Now, let’s assemble the salad beautifully. Start by arranging the cooked potatoes attractively on a large plate or serving dish. Drizzle about 1-2 tablespoons of the prepared dressing over the potatoes to lightly season them.
Step 10
Next, generously pile the washed and drained mixed salad greens on top of the potatoes. The fresh greens will add vibrancy, texture, and a lovely crispness to your salad.
Step 11
Sprinkle the blanched peas evenly over the salad greens. Their delightful sweetness will add another layer of flavor to the overall dish.
Step 12
Place the cut baby octopus in a separate bowl. Pour about half of the remaining dressing over the baby octopus and gently toss to coat them evenly. Tossing the octopus with the dressing beforehand allows the flavors to meld beautifully, making the octopus even more delicious.
Step 13
Arrange the dressed baby octopus on top of the salad. You can drizzle the rest of the dressing over the entire salad according to your taste, or serve it on the side for dipping.
Step 14
Finally, sprinkle a pinch of parsley flakes over the top for a touch of color and fresh aroma. Your stunning baby octopus salad is now complete! Enjoy this fresh and healthy culinary creation.
