Savory Galician Octopus with Smoked Paprika

Name: Savory Galician Octopus with Smoked Paprika
Prep time: 3 h
Cook time: 3 h
Total time: 3 h
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Main Course
Ingredients: medium octopus (about 2-3 pounds); bay leaves; sea salt; water; extra virgin olive oil; smoked paprika; sweet paprika; salt; medium potatoes; salt; olive oil; chopped fresh parsley

A traditional Spanish seafood delicacy

Enjoy tender octopus paired with the bold flavors of smoked paprika in this classic Galician dish.

3 h
4
Intermediate

Ingredients

For the Octopus

medium octopus (about 2-3 pounds)

cleaned

bay leaves

sea salt

1 tablespoon

water

6 cups

For the Paprika Dressing

extra virgin olive oil

3 tablespoons

smoked paprika

2 teaspoons

sweet paprika

1 teaspoon

salt

to taste

For the Potatoes

medium potatoes

4, peeled and thickly sliced

salt

to taste

For the Garnishing

olive oil

1 teaspoon (for drizzling)

chopped fresh parsley

2 tablespoons

Preparation

Marinating the Octopus

Clean Octopus

Clean octopus thoroughly under cold running water.

Dry Octopus

Gently pat dry with a paper towel.

Combine Ingredients

Place in a large pot with water, bay leaves, and salt.

Do not overcook octopus—it will turn rubbery. Pro Tip: Submerge octopus thrice in boiling water before cooking to tenderize it.

Preparing the Potatoes

Slice Potatoes

Peel and thickly slice the potatoes.

Boil Potatoes

In a separate pot, boil potatoes in salted water until tender.

Potato Boiling: 15–20 minutes at medium-high heat.

Drain & Keep Warm

Drain and set aside, keeping them warm.

Cooking Process

Cooking the Octopus

Bring the pot of octopus to a boil over medium-high heat, reduce to a simmer, and cook for 50–60 minutes, until tender.

Octopus Cooking: 50–60 minutes at medium-low simmer.

Mixing the Dressing

In a small bowl, combine olive oil, smoked paprika, and sweet paprika; mix well.

Serving Assembly

Lay potato slices on a platter, arrange octopus on top, and drizzle with paprika dressing and olive oil.

Plating & Serving