Spaghetti Ai Frutti Di Mare

Name: Spaghetti Ai Frutti Di Mare
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 1 h
Total time: 1 h 30 min
Yield: 6 serving(s)
Ingredients: 2 lbs octopus, cleaned frozen, then thawed and rinsed; 2 cups water; 1/2 bay leaf; 1 (14 -15 ounce) can chopped tomatoes; 2 tablespoons basil, chopped; 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil; 3/4 cup basil leaves; 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened; 1 lb spaghetti; 6 garlic cloves; 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1 lb large shrimp, peeled, leaving tail fan attached, and deveined; 3/4 lb mussels, rinsed; 3/4 lb baby calamari, cleaned, bodies cut into 1/4-inch rounds, and tentacles left whole

Submitted by MsPia

"Spaghetti with Seafood"

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Ready In:: 1hr 30mins
Ingredients:: 15
Serves:: 6

ingredients

For the octopus
2 lbs octopus, cleaned frozen, then thawed and rinsed
2 cups water
¹⁄₂ bay leaf
For the tomato sauce
1 (14 -15 ounce) can chopped tomatoes
2 tablespoons basil, chopped
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
For the basil puree
³⁄₄ cup basil leaves
¹⁄₄ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, softened
For the seafood and pasta
1 lb spaghetti
6 garlic cloves
¹⁄₃ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 lb large shrimp, peeled, leaving tail fan attached, and deveined
³⁄₄ lb mussels, rinsed
³⁄₄ lb baby calamari, cleaned, bodies cut into 1/4-inch rounds, and tentacles left whole

directions

Prepare the octopus:
Put octopus in a pressure cooker with water, bay leaf, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and seal pressure cooker with lid, then cook at high pressure according to manufacturer's instructions 10 minutes.
Put pressure cooker in sink (do not remove lid) and run cold water over lid until pressure goes down completely. Remove lid. Transfer octopus to a cutting board, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid. Cut off and discard head, then cut tentacles into 1-inch pieces.
Prepare the tomato sauce:
Simmer tomatoes with their juice, basil, and olive oil in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat, uncovered, stirring and mashing tomatoes occasionally, until thick and reduced to about 3/4 cup, 20 to 25 minutes.
Prepare the basil puree:
Puree basil, olive oil, butter, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a blender, scraping down side as necessary, until smooth. Transfer to a small bowl.
Prepare the pasta and seafood:
Cook spaghetti in a pasta pot of boiling salted water (3 tablespoons salt for 6 quarts water) until 'al dente'.
Meanwhile, puree garlic and olive oil in cleaned blender until smooth.
Heat a dry 12-inch heavy skillet (not nonstick) over high heat until hot, 2 to 3 minutes. Add olive oil mixture, then immediately add octopus, shrimp, and mussels and saute, stirring occasionally, until shrimp are browned on edges and mussels begin to open, 2 to 3 minutes.
Add tomato sauce and reserved octopus-cooking liquid and cook, stirring, until mussels just open wide and shrimp are just cooked through, about 2 minutes more (discard any unopened mussels). Season with salt and pepper.
Drain pasta and return to pot.
Add squid to hot seafood in skillet, stirring to combine, then add to hot pasta and toss to combine (squid will cook as it is being tossed). Serve drizzled with all of basil puree.
Notes: If you do not have a pressure cooker, octopus can be simmered in a 4-quart pot with bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 4 cups water, covered, turning occasionally, until tender, 1 to 1 and 1/2 hours.
Octopus can be cooked 1 day ahead and chilled, uncovered, until cool, then covered.
Tomato sauce can be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered.

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Reviews

Did not know what to think, seeing we have never had octopus before. I made this as directed leaving out the cloves. All in all not bad. The tomato sauce and puree was great indeed. Mixed reviews here.. there was a 3 star, two four stars, and a 5 star, on which I had given it a 4. It was wonderful trying something different, as the flavors were good. Tagged for New Zaar`Tag.

weekend cooker

RECIPE SUBMITTED BY

MsPia

Louisville

I'm lucky to have had two amazing grandmothers with a passion for cooking.My Nona was from the north of Italy and Lolo was from Spain. Lolo used to make pickle fish. You would think that is a kids worst nightmare, but it was fabulous. I would kill for that recipe.My mother was also a wonderful cook. I grew up eating the most amazing food; her lasagna and Bolognese sauce are out of this world. I am originally from Argentina and living in Colorado for the past 25 years. As you can imagine, I love to cook, eat and entertain. I read cookbooks like novels. There is nothing that I enjoy more than traveling. I love the challenge of a new culture and a foreign language. Of course all my traveling is culinary oriented. Eventually I would love to move to Italy. Italians, in my opinion, have the perfect life style; Hard work in the morning, good food for lunch, nice siesta and out for a "giro" (go for a round) in the afternoons to visit with your friends over a cup of coffee. My daughter is a great baker; she has a natural talent for it. We can make the exact same recipe and hers ALWAYS tastes much better. My favorite products are seasonal, organic and fresh; I stay away from cans and pre-mixed stuff. I'm a proud member of the Slow Food movement. www.slowfood.com

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