Octopus "Lagareiro"

 By Miguel de Almeiga our Portuguese foodie 

My favourite of all sea creatures, it’s is the basis of this traditional dish from the Algarve province of Portugal. This is utterly delicious as a light lunch or dinner. I used spring onions as a topping instead of the usual parsley. Coriander works a treat too.

Ingredients (serves 4)


1 octopus of 1kg of weight
3 peppers (1 yellow, 1 red and 1 green)
1 red onion
1 bay leaf
500 gr of new potatoes
salt & pepper
3 cloves of garlic
olive oil
1 tbsp of red wine vinegar


slices spring onions to sprinkle

 


Preparation


Pre-heat the oven at 190 ºC. 


In a pan, place the octopus, the bay leaf and the red nion and covered with water. Cook for 40 minutes till the octopus is tender and pink. Drain the water and set aside.


Chop the peppers in slices and peel off the potatoes. Arrange them in a baking dish with the octopus in the middle. Add in the garlic cloves with skin, season with salt & pepper and drizzle with a good measure of olive oil. Bake in the oven for 40 minutes, till the potatoes are golden and the octopus crispy. Remove from the oven and serve immediately.

Best places to buy fresh Octopus to cook in your villa 

1. Loule Market                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                One of Algarves biggest and most colourfull markets opened on a Saturday 9am - 2pm 

2. Apolinia Supermarket                                                                                                                                                                                                                                Located in Almancil its the best supermarket in the land of the Algarve with a price to with it / opened 7 days per week 

3. Quarteira Fish Market                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 The most famous market of its kind on the south coast, arrive early for the best choice of fish and seafood. Superb value for money, popular for restaurants and locals / every Wednesday 9am - 1pm