Charred Octopus Taco with Harissa, Chorizo Crushed Potatoes, and Pickled Ramps

Ingredients for Charred Octopus Taco with Harissa, Chorizo Crushed Potatoes, and Pickled Ramps

• 450g whole fresh octopus, cleaned

• 12 medium garlic cloves, crushed

• 60g fresh thyme sprigs (about 2 small bunches)

• 2 litres olive oil

• 15g dried pasilla chillies

• 15g dried guajillo chillies

• 1 tablespoon olive oil

• 3 medium red onions, diced, salted, and strained for 2 hours to release water

• 15g cumin seeds, toasted and ground

• 15g coriander seeds, toasted and ground

• 15g caraway seeds, toasted and ground

• 2 tablespoons lemon juice

• 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 240ml white balsamic vinegar

• 225g sugar

• 1 tablespoon kosher salt

• 230g ramps (wild garlic), cleaned, green leaves removed and reserved for another use

• 450g Yukon Gold potatoes, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes

• 45ml olive oil

• 450g fresh Mexican chorizo, removed from casing

• Olive oil, for grilling

• 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt

• 1/4 teaspoons black pepper

• 12 flour tortillas

Preheat oven to 135°C. Place the octopus, garlic, and thyme in a 5-quart pot or Dutch oven. Pour olive oil over (octopus should be submerged) and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cover the pot with foil, place in oven, and cook until tender, about 1 1/2 to 2 hours. Check the octopus periodically for tenderness by inserting a paring knife into the thickest part of an arm. When fully cooked, the knife should easily pierce the flesh. Remove from oven and let sit covered until the octopus comes to room temperature. Discard thyme and garlic. Remove and discard head, separate arms, and gently remove the purple skin.

Toast the chillies in a dry skillet over medium-high heat for 1 to 2 minutes until fragrant. Let cool and remove the stems and seeds. Bring 120ml water to a boil in a small pot. Add chillies and simmer until tender, about 3 to 5 minutes. Purée chillies and water in a blender until smooth, scrape out and reserve.

Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Sweat the onions until tender and lightly browned, 8 to 10 minutes. Add the onions, ground spices, lemon juice, and salt to the blender with 3 tablespoons of the pepper purée. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Strain, taste, and adjust seasoning. Harissa can be made 1 day in advance.

Bring the vinegar, sugar, salt, and 240ml water to a boil and stir until dissolved. Place the ramps in a heatproof glass container and pour vinegar mixture over. Let sit until ramps come to room temperature, then refrigerate 1 hour. Ramps can be pickled 1 day in advance.

Start the potatoes in a medium pot with cold salted water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until potatoes are tender, about 5 to 6 minutes. Drain, crush with a fork, and reserve.

Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat and sauté the chorizo, breaking into bits, until browned and cooked through. Strain and reserve oil.

Heat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Rub the octopus with a little olive oil and grill until lightly charred, about 4 to 5 minutes per side. Slice octopus into bite-size pieces. Meanwhile, heat the reserved chorizo oil and potatoes in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season with salt and pepper. Add the cooked chorizo and toss to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning.

Warm the tortillas. Divide the crushed potatoes between the tortillas, top with octopus, a spoonful of harissa, and 2 or 3 pickled ramps.

Disclaimer

While every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate and up to date, individual needs may vary and dietary requirements can differ based on personal health conditions. Always check food labels and allergen information before preparing or consuming any recipe. If you have specific health concerns, allergies, intolerances, or are following a medically prescribed diet, seek advice from your GP, pharmacist, or a registered dietitian before making significant changes to your diet or lifestyle.