Ceviche de Pulpo (Octopus)

Ceviche de Pulpo (Octopus)

🐙 Ceviche de Pulpo (Octopus) 🐙

This octopus ceviche recipe offers a delightful combination of textures, flavors, and colors with the citrusy brightness of the dressing complementing the tender ocean-y octopus and the freshness of the vegetables.

Cooked Octopus Tentacles (Pulpo Cocido) by Nuchar is a refrigerated product available at Costco and Amazon. The octopus is from the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean, a product of Spain. It has already been cleaned and tentacles have been separated from the head. Pulpo Cocido is already cooked and ready to eat. It is excellent sliced thin and served cold as in this ceviche, and also as in this Nobu-Style carpaccio dish.

Ceviche de Pulpo (Octopus)

Receta de Ceviche de Pulpo

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Porchetta Roast and Sandwich

Porchetta Roast and Sandwich

Porchetta Roast and Sandwich

Exactly fourteen years ago, I hosted a Porchetta Party at my home where we crafted a lovely porchetta roast and other porchetta dishes entirely from scratch. However, this time around, things are a bit different. I’m opting for convenience by cooking a pre-made roast from Costco. While it’s a simpler approach, the results are still delicious.

Porchetta stands as an Italian culinary masterpiece. It involves a dexterous process of hand-rolling and tying a free-range heritage pork loin and belly. This delectable creation is stuffed with a blend of spices, garlic, and lemon zest. Seasoned with a mix of salt, lemon juice, and white wine, the porchetta is then roasted to perfection.

Porchetta Roast and Sandwich

With its succulent savory interior and crave-worthy crackly skin exterior, Porchetta Roast makes an impressive and photogenic centerpiece. Leftover roast can be transformed into equally spectacular Sandwiches.

Porchetta Roast and Sandwich

Porchetta Roast and Sandwich Recipes

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Charred Octopus Appetizer

Tender Charred Octopus

🐙 🐙 Tender Charred Octopus 🐙 🐙
with
Royal Corona Beans, Charred Tomato, Jalapeño, and Lemon
Fried Capers, Fresh Oregano, Olive Oil

What better way to celebrate our great spring weather than with a charred smoky octopus appetizer? Truth be told, we actually cook outside on the Blaze Grill all year long here in Las Vegas, but it is especially nice in April when it’s not too hot and not too cold.

Here I begin with Cooked Octopus Tentacles (Pulpo Cocido). Among other places, this product can be found in the refrigerated seafood section at Costco. The octopus is from the Eastern Central Atlantic Ocean, a product of Spain. It has already been cleaned and tentacles have been separated from the head. Preparation is as easy as opening the package.

The tender pre-cooked octopus is marinated in olive oil and dried oregano, then grilled until it is hot, smoky, and charred. It is plated with enormous creamy royal corona beans; charred tomatoes, jalapeños, and lemons; and fried capers. It is so tasty, colorful, and impressive that your guests will definitely think “restaurant quality.” Crusty bread makes a great accompaniment, along with a local IPA or a nice Sauvignon Blanc.

Tender Charred Octopus

Charred Octopus Appetizer Recipe

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Lamb Shanks with Cassoulet Beans

Lamb Shanks and Cassoulet Beans

Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks
Smoky Cassoulet Beans
With Kalamata Olives and Cherry Tomatoes
Gremolata Condiment

This is the second of two quick, slow-braised lamb shank dinners. QUICK and SLOW? Yes, as the lamb shanks are already slow-braised, from the refrigerated section at Costco. Are they as good as home-cooked braised shanks that take 2 1/2 hours? Of course not, but for a fast impressive meal, they rock. And the beautiful beans here are cooked one day ahead so assembling the entire dish takes less than 30 minutes.

The beans from Rancho Gordo are grown in California from classic French Tarbais seed stock. This white runner bean was developed over generations by French farmers to be the foundation for a traditional cassoulet. The combination of beans, olives, and tomatoes simmered with smoked paprika and red wine paired with lamb is heavenly.

Gremolata – a mix of chopped fresh parsley/lemon zest/garlic – adds an invigorating freshness and brightness to most braised meats. It builds another interesting layer onto this outstanding dish.

Lamb Shanks and Cassoulet Beans

Lamb Shanks and Cassoulet Beans Recipe

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Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks, Boursin Cheese Polenta

Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks, Boursin Cheese Polenta

Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks
Pomegranate-Fig Sauce
Over Boursin Cheese Polenta

As an old magician friend of ours used to say, “I’m going to blow your mind!”

How about a mouth-watering, restaurant-quality dish of braised lamb shanks with a pomegranate-fig sauce over boursin cheese polenta on the table in about 10 minutes?

Is it magic?

Slow-Braised Lamb Shanks, Boursin Cheese Polenta

Start the Clock

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