Chilli octopus salad14

Posted on June 30, 2009 by ChristieDinner Time, Gluten Free

chilli-octopus-salad
[Chilli octopus salad]

Proof that fresh produce needs very little preparation!

A trip to the local supermarket today in Barcelona was a very exciting adventure indeed. I got such wonderful things as fresh Jamon (ham, although that’s an understatement), Jamon stock (ham stock, amazing), Butifarra (Catalan sausage), cooked octopus (above) and canned pimento peppers. You can see a picture of my haul here.

I came back to my apartment and my head spun from deciding what to eat first. Making lunch never seemed so hard! I figured that the octopus would go bad first so being a practical girl I used that.

Well that’s not entirely true. I also got a fresh loaf of bread while up the street and the octopus was swimming in a delicious chilli oil marinade that was just begging to be mopped up. How could I refuse? Salad with fresh bread it was!

I also bought some super ripe apricots and half a pineapple and have already started devising a healthy breakfast to make with the apricots tomorrow morning.

My new toy!

Last but definitely not least. Do you like the octopus salad shot? You should, because it was taken on my brand new Olympus E-620 with 25mm macro lens. Sexy, isn’t it? I’m super excited to have it in my hot little hands. I used it a lot when shooting in Japan and the fruits of my labour are coming up soon.

Until next time, Christie x

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Chilli octopus salad recipe

serves 2

(Convert measurements here)

250g cooked chilli octopus
1/2 red capsicum (bell pepper), thinly sliced
6-10 green olives, pitted (preferably by you, pre-pitted olives have inferior flavour)
2 big handfuls of lettuce (I used lambs lettuce, also called mache)
1/2 lemon
olive oil, to dress
cracked pepper

1. Arrange all the ingredients evenly onto two serving plates.

2. Squeeze over some lemon juice and dribble with olive oil. Add some freshly cracked pepper and serve with crusty bread to mop up the juices.

Want more seafood recipes? OK then:

Salmon wasabi leaf canapes w/ wasabi and soy dipping sauce (GF)
Smoked salmon crepe ’sushi’ rolls
Fish burger w/ radish and olives
Sweet chilli prawn skewers



  • http://janespice.com Ursula

    This is delicious. I love the combination of chili and octopus. Great shot, and nice lens!

  • http://www.lifeisafeast.com Natty

    Yummy yummy yummy! The photo looks tasty. What a sexy camera! I loved octopus when I was a kid. I was always deliciously uncomfortable with the feeling of the suckers on my tongue.

  • http://www.morningcopy.com.au Dillon

    Next level photography! Looks yummy.

  • http://blog.lemonpi.net Y

    I love visiting supermarkets while on holidays overseas, but rarely get a chance to actually buy the produce. Your salad looks fab! Can’t wait to see the other pics from your spanking new camera.

  • http://betty-thehungrygirl.blogspot.com Betty

    This looks great and so simple to make!

  • http://www.tastestopping.wordpress.com TasteStopping

    No fair! Octopus and a new camera? Well, if I could find it around here, I’m sure I could afford the octopus. :) (I used to eat octopus all the time, until pregnant with my first and the OB said, “hmmm. Hold off on that for a while.” Not sure why, but I haven’t had much since.)

  • http://www.hogletk.wordpress.com Arwen from Hoglet K

    Shopping at the food market sounds like so much fun, and it sounds like you’re finding some nice produce. Enjoy the new camera!

  • http://www.hedonistichostess.com.au Hedonistic Hostess

    Wow, that octopus looks amazing. I’ve been toying with the idea of getting a macro lens…good to know that you find it useful. Pic looks great.

  • http://www.kalofagas.ca Peter

    I love octopus and the chilli version sounds awesome…I love a little heat in my foods!

  • http://leaveroomfordessert.com Anita

    Great photo!!! Lucky you to have a new toy :) I want one!!

  • http://myfolieadeux.com Jen Laceda

    Ok, so our recent trip to Barcelona introduced me to octopus. I now love octopus! Even though my background in Chinese (and we eat everything!), I never took to these octo creatures. But Barcelona singlehandedly changed my mind! Thanks for the lovely post AND the recipe!

  • http://growlingbelly.com Sacha

    Mmmm. That looks so delicious! Beautiful.

  • http://www.notquitenigella.com Lorraine @NotQuiteNigella

    Darling welcome to the wonderful world of SLRs and being able to take photos at night!

  • http://www.figandcherry.com Christie

    Thanks guys, you’re very kind! :P

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