Salt/Pepper
Piment d'Espelette (smoked paprika powder)
1 organic lemon
This is the simple most satisfying and surprising way how to cook an octopus to perfection. Wash the octopus well under cold running water. Salt the octopus heavily and let it rest for 5 minutes. Now - wash off the salt completely and put octopus in a bowl. Combine 1 tablespoon of olive oil with 1-2 tablespoons of Piment d'Espelette (spanish, smoked paprika powder) and marinade the octopus with this mixture - combine with freshly ground black pepper. Put the octopus in a vacuum bag - peel an organic lemon with a peeler and put the peel into the bag. Vacuum seal the bag and cook in a water bath of 85 degrees Celsius for 4 hours. Take out of the water bath. Open the bag - take out the octopus - tap dry with some kitchen paper. Cut the octopus into large pieces. Finish off and on a very hot barbecue for a few minutes. It will become crispy on the outside, while extremely soft in the inside.
Best served with roasted bell peppers and baked potatoes with sour cream.
PS: If you want to prepare the octopus in advanced for later preparation, simply cool the bag in an ice bath and store in the fridge. You can also freeze the bag for later use.