How to Groom an Octopus
How to prepare tender octopus
Before cooking octopus, it's important to clean it properly. Preparing octopus is the end of the cooking process.
What to bring
- Octopus
- Coarse salt
- Flour
Washing the octopus
- Rinse the octopus thoroughly in cold water to remove any surface debris.
- Make sure to wash the octopus thoroughly, even inside the suckers.
Dredge octopus in flour and salt
- Sprinkle the surface of the octopus with coarse salt and flour, and use your hands to knead the octopus. This process will remove the mucus from the octopus and give it a firmer texture.
- Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, then rinse it under cold water to remove all the flour and salt.
- The octopus should squeak to the touch, indicating that it has been thoroughly cleaned.
Remove embedded
- Turn the octopus head over and remove the entrails. Pull it out by hand or use a knife or scissors to clean it up neatly.
- Remove the mouth with a knife as well. The mouth is a hard part of the octopus, so remove it carefully.
How to cook octopus gently using a pressure cooker
Pressure cooking octopus is a great way to save time and energy while still getting tender, delicious octopus. Using a pressure cooker softens the fibers of the octopus quickly, so you can enjoy a luxuriously textured octopus in a fraction of the time.
What to bring
- Trimmed Octopus
- Korean beef bone broth (enough to submerge the octopus)
- Vinegar (optional)
- Pressure cooker
Preparing the stock in the pressure cooker
- Add enough stock to submerge the octopus in the pressure cooker. The stock will add flavor to the octopus and make it more delicious.
- For a softer texture, you can add a little vinegar to the water. The vinegar will help make the octopus more tender.
Adding an octopus
- Place the trimmed octopus in the pressure cooker, making sure it is seated, and close the lid of the pressure cooker.
Adjusting pressure and boiling
- Set the pressure setting on the pressure cooker to medium and start heating.
- When the pressure cooker has built up enough pressure, reduce the heat to low and add the Done! Boil the octopus for 7 minutes. You can adjust the time depending on the size of the octopus, with larger octopuses boiled a little longer.
- If you boil it too long in the pressure cooker, it will become mushy and have a bad texture.
King Tteok Soup is the perfect soup for boiling and cooking. It is a precious broth that retains the juicy flavor of Korean beef bone broth and octopus.
Decompressing and resting
- At the end of the cooking time, turn off the heat and allow the pressure cooker to release naturally. It is recommended to let the pressure release naturally, rather than forcing it.
- Once the pressure is completely released, remove the lid, remove the octopus, and let it rest at room temperature for a few minutes. This will help the juices spread evenly throughout the octopus.
Enjoy the Octopus
Freshly cooked in a pressure cooker, octopus is tender and savory. You can shred it and enjoy it with salads or vinegars, or use it in a variety of seafood dishes.
A pressure cooker makes it easy to tenderize octopus, so if you want to save time and still have a delicious octopus dish, this is the way to go!
