Tender Octopus and Sweet Potato Salad
Guest-Worthy Meal: Delightful Octopus Salad with Smoked Duck and Chives Stir-fry
My nephew is staying with us while attending in-person classes. This is a special weekend meal prepared for his uncle’s family who came to visit him. This octopus salad, featuring tender octopus and sweet potatoes, is a fantastic appetizer or side dish that’s sure to impress. Its appealing presentation and delicious taste make it perfect for special occasions and entertaining guests!
Octopus Salad Ingredients- 1/3 cooked octopus, cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 sweet potato
- 2 Tbsp chopped pickled chili peppers (cheongyangcho jangajji)
- 3 stalks of green onion (scallions)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 2 Tbsp olive oil
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese, for garnish
- Dried parsley flakes, for garnish
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
Smoked Duck and Chives Stir-fry Ingredients- 300g smoked duck breast
- 1/2 onion
- 1 bunch chives
- 1 cheongyang chili pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1/4 carrot
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
- 300g smoked duck breast
- 1/2 onion
- 1 bunch chives
- 1 cheongyang chili pepper (optional, for heat)
- 1/4 carrot
- 1 Tbsp oyster sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- Freshly ground black pepper to taste
- Sesame seeds, a pinch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
1. Prepare the Octopus Salad
㉠ First, prepare the salad components. Peel the sweet potato and cut it into bite-sized pieces. Cut the cooked octopus into similar-sized pieces. Wash the green onions and chop them into 3-4 cm lengths.
Step 2
㉡ In a pot, bring water to a boil with 1/2 Tbsp of salt. Add the cut sweet potato and boil until tender. Drain the sweet potato thoroughly. Tip: Mashing the sweet potato while it’s still warm will make it easier to mash.
Step 3
㉢ In a large bowl, combine the drained sweet potato, cut octopus, chopped green onions, finely chopped pickled chili peppers, minced garlic, olive oil, Parmesan cheese, parsley flakes, and black pepper.
*** Tip: If you don’t have pickled chili peppers, you can substitute with other tangy pickled vegetables. Alternatively, add a little vinegar to achieve a similar zesty flavor.
Step 4
㉣ Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined and coated with the dressing. Transfer the salad to a serving dish. Sprinkle with sesame seeds for a final touch. Your delicious octopus salad is ready!
Step 5
2. Make the Smoked Duck and Chives Stir-fry
㉠ Now, let’s prepare the ingredients for the stir-fry. Slice the onion thinly. Cut the chives into 3-4 cm lengths. Slice the carrot and cheongyang chili pepper into similar sizes for an appealing presentation.
Step 6
㉡ Heat a pan over medium heat and add the smoked duck. Stir-fry it first until slightly browned and some fat is rendered. Then, add the sliced carrot and minced garlic, stir-frying for a minute. Add the sliced onion and cheongyang chili pepper, and cook until the vegetables are slightly softened.
Step 7
㉢ Season with black pepper and add the oyster sauce for a savory depth. Toss in the cut chives and stir-fry briefly just until they wilt. Turn off the heat. Serve the stir-fry onto a plate and garnish with sesame seeds. Enjoy your flavorful smoked duck and chives stir-fry!
