For those who like strange cuisine, why not try a unique pie recipe from the Ionian Islands? This is traditionally served as an appetizer. It serves twelve. This recipe was made for use of a baking pan that is 15 inches by 12 inches or a pan of similar size.
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The Octopus Pie: Ingredients List
The ingredients you will need include the following:
- 2 pounds of a small octopus (cleaned, washed, ready-to-be cooked)
- 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2/3 cup of basmati rice (pre-soaked for 10 minutes in warm water, then strained)
- 1/2 cup glass of dry red wine
- 3 or 4 onions, finely chopped
- 6 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
- 1/2 pound of grated zucchini (that’s been strained)
- 1 bunch of parsley, finely chopped
- 1 pound of hard, red tomatoes, grated
- 1 teaspoon of crushed chili peppers
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 pinch of cinnamon
- phyllo dough made for pita
The Cooking Steps
Boil the octopus meat until the pieces become soft. Add the wine. When it starts to boil, remove from the heat and set aside to cool.
The octopus legs should be chopped into small pieces and left in their broth in a separate bowl.
In a frying pan, add 3 or 4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and saute the onions until they soften but do not brown. Add the garlic and then remove from the heat.
In a large bowl, combine the onions, zucchini, tomatoes, basmati rice, parsley, octopus pieces, cinnamon, crushed chili peppers, and half of the olive oil, and salt.
Preheat the over to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lightly brush a pan with olive oil. Place half the phyllo dough on the bottom of the pan. Using a brush, apply a small amount of olive oil between each layer of phyllo.
Add the stuffing and cover the rest of the phyllo dough. Don’t forget to brush a dab of olive oil between each layer. Trim the extra dough from the sides of the pan and roll the edges toward the inside to create a nice edge for the pie. Brush olive oil on the top layer.
Using a sharp knife, cut vents down to the bottom of the pie in three or four spots. Place in the oven.
After fifteen minutes, use a spray bottle to lightly spray water on the pie. About six to eight sprays should suffice. Continue baking for another five minutes.
Lower the oven temperature to 350 degrees and continue baking for one hour. Cover with aluminum foil and bake for the last fifteen minutes.
Turn off the oven but leave the pie sitting inside for fifteen minutes.
Remove the pie from the oven and let cool for two hours before cutting and serving.
And here’s your octopus pie!