Charred Octopus Taco With Harissa, Chorizo Crushed Potatoes, And Pickled Ramps

Serves: 3

Fatima Kris

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

14

Spice

43

Sweetness

53

Sourness

46

mins

Prep time (avg)

6.2

Difficulty

Ingredients:

2 tbsps

Lemon Juice

1 tsp

Kosher Salt

1 cup

Sugar

1 tsp

Black Pepper

Directions:

1

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat

2

Poach the octopus: Preheat oven to 275°F

3

Place the octopus, garlic, and thyme in a 5-quart pot or Dutch oven

4

Pour olive oil over (octopus should be submerged) and bring to a simmer over medium heat

5

Cover the pot with foil, place in oven, and cook until tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours

6

Check the octopus periodically for tenderness by inserting a paring knife into the thickest part of an arm

7

When fully cooked, the knife should easily pierce the flesh

8

Remove from oven and let sit covered until the octopus comes to room temperature

9

Discard thyme and garlic

10

Remove and discard head, separate arms, and gently remove the purple skin

11

Preheat oven to 275°F

12

Place the octopus, garlic, and thyme in a 5-quart pot or Dutch oven

13

Pour olive oil over (octopus should be submerged) and bring to a simmer over medium heat

14

Cover the pot with foil, place in oven, and cook until tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours

15

Check the octopus periodically for tenderness by inserting a paring knife into the thickest part of an arm

16

When fully cooked, the knife should easily pierce the flesh

17

Remove from oven and let sit covered until the octopus comes to room temperature

18

Discard thyme and garlic

19

Remove and discard head, separate arms, and gently remove the purple skin

20

Make the harissa: Toast the chiles in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant

21

Let cool and remove the stems and seeds

22

Bring 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small pot

23

Add chiles and simmer until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes

24

Purée chiles and water in a blender until smooth, scrape out and reserve

25

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat

26

Sweat the onions until tender and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes

27

Add the onions, ground spices, lemon juice, and salt to the blender with 3 tablespoons of the pepper purée

28

Blend all ingredients until smooth

29

Strain, taste, and adjust seasoning

30

Harissa can be made 1 day in advance

31

Toast the chiles in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant

32

Let cool and remove the stems and seeds

33

Bring 1/2 cup water to a boil in a small pot

34

Add chiles and simmer until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes

35

Purée chiles and water in a blender until smooth, scrape out and reserve

36

Sweat the onions until tender and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes

37

Add the onions, ground spices, lemon juice, and salt to the blender with 3 tablespoons of the pepper purée

38

Blend all ingredients until smooth

39

Strain, taste, and adjust seasoning

40

Harissa can be made 1 day in advance

41

Pickle the ramps: Bring the vinegar, sugar, salt, and 1 cup water to a boil and stir until dissolved

42

Place the ramps in a heatproof glass container and pour vinegar mixture over

43

Let sit until ramps come to room temperature, then refrigerate 1 hour

44

Ramps can be pickled 1 day in advance

45

Bring the vinegar, sugar, salt, and 1 cup water to a boil and stir until dissolved

46

Place the ramps in a heatproof glass container and pour vinegar mixture over

47

Let sit until ramps come to room temperature, then refrigerate 1 hour

48

Ramps can be pickled 1 day in advance

49

Cook the potatoes and chorizo: Start the potatoes in a medium pot with cold salted water and bring to a boil

50

Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 5 to 6 minutes

51

Drain, crush with a fork, and reserve

52

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the chorizo, breaking into bits, until browned and cooked through

53

Strain and reserve oil

54

Start the potatoes in a medium pot with cold salted water and bring to a boil

55

Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 5 to 6 minutes

56

Drain, crush with a fork, and reserve

57

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the chorizo, breaking into bits, until browned and cooked through

58

Strain and reserve oil

59

Assemble the tacos: Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat

60

Rub the octopus with a little olive oil and grill until lightly charred, about 4 to 5 minutes per side

61

Slice octopus into bite-size pieces

62

Meanwhile, heat the reserved chorizo oil and potatoes in a large skillet over medium-high heat

63

Season with salt and pepper

64

Add the cooked chorizo and toss to combine

65

Taste and adjust seasoning

66

Warm the tortillas

67

Divide the crushed potatoes between the tortillas, top with octopus, a spoonful of harissa, and 2 or 3 pickled ramps

68

Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat

69

Rub the octopus with a little olive oil and grill until lightly charred, about 4 to 5 minutes per side

70

Slice octopus into bite-size pieces

71

Meanwhile, heat the reserved chorizo oil and potatoes in a large skillet over medium-high heat

72

Season with salt and pepper

73

Add the cooked chorizo and toss to combine

74

Taste and adjust seasoning

75

Warm the tortillas

76

Divide the crushed potatoes between the tortillas, top with octopus, a spoonful of harissa, and 2 or 3 pickled ramps