The secret to preparing Mercadona octopus like in a gourmet restaurant

There are many who already look forward to those family meals or dinners in which everyone gathers around tasty messages and tables with unforgettable decorations. Many times one hesitates about what to cook and about trying to make something delicious, but without having to spend many hours in the kitchen or not make life too complicated. Luckily, Mercadona has a dish that many love and that is ideal for this time of year. We talk about the octopus they sell.

The Valencian chain has opened a section in which it offers ideas for Christmas or how to cook some of its dishes. Precisely, they offer different tips to make a perfect octopus, like in a three-star restaurant.

The main thing is soften the octopus before cooking it so that the meat breaks down its fibers, loses firmness and becomes much more tender. We can do it in several ways, but we recommend freeze it previously or buy it already frozen. Raw octopus can be stored in the freezer for up to 6 months. To cook it, we must defrost it in the refrigerator 24 hours before and remove excess water during the process. Once thawed, we will clean the legs and head well with cold water. Then we introduce and remove it 3 times in a pot with boiling water to “scare him” and prevent skin deterioration. We will keep it in the pot between 25 and 30 minutes (for a 2 kg octopus). We will click every little bit to check that it is tender. It must be taken into account that, during cooking, the octopus releases a lot of water and reduces its size, so we will avoid overfilling the pot so that it does not overflow. When the octopus is ready, let it rest for a few minutes on a tray and cut with scissors while it's still hot. To check if it is already cooked, prick it with a toothpick. If it goes in easily, it will be tender, just right and ready to eat. If you find it difficult to puncture it, you have to increase the rest time. It is a food rich in protein that also provides us with healthy Omega 3 fats and various minerals. Therefore, it is considered very nutritious.

How to cook frozen octopus

If you need cook frozen raw octopus, you have to put it in boiling water (without salt). As soon as the water reaches the boiling point again, cook 1 kilo of octopus for about 15 minutes over medium heat with the pot highlighted. Then let it rest for 15 or 20 more minutes with the pot covered.

A trick to reheat it

Place the octopus inside a plastic freezer bag and, in turn, immerse it in a pot of hot water for about 10-15 minutes. The water should not touch the octopus meat so that it does not overcook it. In this little while the heat will have reached the interior of the meat of this cephalopod.

And another trick for your stews and sauces

Did you know that the heads contain more gelatin than the rest of the octopus? Therefore, they are ideal for using in stews, since you will get a thicker sauce.