Octopus is a famous delicacy at the Kenyan Coast. However, octopus can be tough if not tenderized before cooking. Traditionally coastal people tenderize octopus meat by hurling it against rocks or striking it gently using wooden rods.
Ingredients For Fried Octopus
1 kg tenderized octopus½ cups cooking oil1 tea spoon salt1 tea spoon grated ginger1 tea spoon grated garlic1 table spoon chilli powder (masala) – optional
Preparation / Method
- Clean and rinse the octopus in cold water. Make sure you remove the beak.
- Heat a medium pan of boiling water, add the octopus to the boiling water and blanch for 1½ minutes, then drain, cool and cut it into bite-sized pieces.
- Put your spices in a clean medium bowl. Add salt, mix well then set aside.
- Add your octopus to the bowl of spices, mix well and it leave for 20-30 minutes
- Pour the mixture into a clean cooking pan cover with a lid a simmer until the octopus turns maroon in color.
- Remove the octopus from the cooking pan and put it in a clean bowl
- Now heat your frying pan, add the cooking oil and leave for 3-5 minutes.
- Pour the octopus into the pan and fry for 5-10 minutes until its ready and serve for Iftar or any meal.
Health Benefits of Octopus
Octopus has high content of Omega-3 fatty acids that helps to lower the chances of stroke and heart attack. It promotes the cardiovascular health and stimulates cognitive health. Octopus also has low content of saturated fat which assists in losing weight.