Coctel de Pulpo

Ingredients

• 1 lb cooked octopus, chilled
• ½ cup lime juice, fresh
• 1 cup tomato juice or clamato
• ½ medium white onion
• 1 whole jalapeño
• 1 whole ripe avocado
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro
• ½ teaspoon sea salt

Instructions

1. 1

   Slice the octopus tentacles crosswise into 0.5-inch-thick rings so they are bite-sized and cook evenly. Place all the cut octopus pieces into a large mixing bowl.

2. 2

   Slice the white onion half from root tip to root tip lengthwise into very thin strips, about the thickness of a piece of string. Add the onion strips to the bowl with the octopus.

3. 3

   Slice the jalapeño in half lengthwise, remove the white ribs and seeds with a small spoon, then slice the remaining pepper flesh crosswise into thin rings about the thickness of a coin.

4. 4

   Pour the lime juice and tomato juice into the bowl with the octopus and onion, add the jalapeño rings, and stir with a wooden spoon until everything is evenly mixed. The lime juice will begin to soften the onion and add bright flavor.

5. 5

   Sprinkle 0.5 teaspoon of sea salt over the mixture and stir again until the salt dissolves into the liquid. Taste with a clean spoon and add more salt by the 1/4 teaspoon if needed.

6. 6

   Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place it in the refrigerator to chill for at least 30 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld together and the octopus to absorb the citrus and salt.

7. 7

   Cut the avocado in half from top to bottom, remove the pit with a spoon, then cut the flesh into 0.5-inch dice directly into a small bowl. Do this just before serving so the avocado does not brown.

8. 8

   Remove the coctel from the refrigerator and stir gently once to combine. Pinch and tear the fresh cilantro leaves with your fingers and scatter them into the bowl, then fold in the avocado with a rubber spatula until distributed evenly.

9. 9

   Divide the coctel evenly among four chilled glasses or small bowls, pouring in the octopus, vegetables, and all of the flavorful liquid, using a large spoon to distribute the ingredients fairly.

Tools you’ll need

• large mixing bowl
• cutting board
• chef's knife
• wooden spoon
• small spoon
• rubber spatula
• plastic wrap
• refrigerator
• small bowl
• four chilled glasses or small bowls
• large serving spoon

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