Grilled Octopus and its Mayonnaise

I’ll be happy to provide you with the recipe to prepare a delicious grilled octopus with its mayonnaise.

Ingredients for the Grilled Octopus:

• 1 medium size octopus (already cleaned and preferably pre-cooked)
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt
• Pepper
• Lemon (for serving)

Ingredients for the Mayonnaise:

• 1 room temperature egg yolk
• 1 teaspoon of mustard
• 1 teaspoon of lemon juice
• 150 ml of seed oil or extra virgin olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Preparation:

Grilled Octopus:

1. If the octopus has not already been boiled, proceed with cooking it for about 40 minutes in salted water until it becomes tender. Let it cool down in the cooking water to keep it soft.
2. Once the octopus is ready, cut it into pieces or tentacles.
3. Heat a grill plate or a grill over medium-high heat.
4. Season the octopus pieces with oil, salt, and pepper, then grill them for about 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are well browned and crispy on the outside.
5. Serve the hot octopus with a sprinkle of fresh pepper and garnish with lemon wedges.

Mayonnaise:

1. In a bowl, place the egg yolk and mustard.
2. Start whisking with a whip or an immersion blender while pouring the oil in a very slow stream.
3. As you add the oil, the sauce will begin to emulsify and thicken.
4. Continue until all the oil is incorporated, then season with lemon juice, salt, and pepper to taste.
5. If the mayonnaise is too thick, you can add a little water or lemon juice to thin it out.

Serve the grilled octopus with your homemade mayonnaise on the side, thus creating a perfect balance of flavors.

Curiosity

Grilled octopus is a dish much loved in the coastal regions of Italy, where fish is an essential component of the local diet. The simplicity of this dish enhances the delicate but distinct flavor of the octopus, while the mayonnaise adds a creamy and enveloping note. For an all-Italian touch, you can add some crushed garlic or a few drops of balsamic vinegar to your mayonnaise.