cooking occy

Just been down and got a few occy on the reef during low tide for the first time.

Has anyone tried cooking them in a pressure cooker . ?

I have tried cooking a few times using various methods but always seem to come out tough. Has anyone got a sure fire way to cook them without ending up like boot laces .

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RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together

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slugger's picture

Posts: 156

Date Joined: 17/02/11

first thing

Tue, 2024-01-16 10:14

 make sure you freeze up before cooking

 

supposed to break down the enzymes or something...

tcarroll's picture

Posts: 250

Date Joined: 17/12/13

 I'm certainly also

Tue, 2024-01-16 11:07

 I'm certainly also interested in this as have had same results when pickling.... Always tough. 

A bloke at cricket training last night linked me to the below recipe which he reckons goes alright so I am going to give this a crack. 

 

catalanos.net.au/recipes/homemade-pickled-octopus/

 

sea-kem's picture

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Date Joined: 30/11/09

 Yep freeze for a few weeks,

Tue, 2024-01-16 12:00

 Yep freeze for a few weeks, helps immensly.

I cook it for Xmas usually, cut into bite size pieces and simmer in a pot for 2-30 mins. It will get to a point where it starts to tenderize very quickly so it can be overcooked. You need to keep testing around the 20 minute mark depending on how big the occy is. When cooked drain and let cool, refridgerate. Next day bring out of fridge and leave for 5-10 mins.

Add fresh garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, fresh chopped parsley, raisins , salt to taste and fesh chilli if you like some heat. Mix up and serve. 

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carnarvonite's picture

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Freeze it

Tue, 2024-01-16 16:02

 Freeze it then thaw it until its just pliable, give it a work out  by kneading it for a minute or so then refreeze making sure it hasn't completely thawed. 

Some like to cut in pieces before cooking but I leave that till after, bring to boil then let simmer for 20-30  mins then time to put in jars with top quality brown vinegar, again, some go for spiced but I prefer plain

Livewire's picture

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Date Joined: 25/11/16

 After freezing,  wash well

Wed, 2024-01-17 07:09

 After freezing,  wash well under running tap steam whole for 20/30 minutes outside so you don't stink the house out. Drain and let cool, remove skin I use paper towel.  Cut into chunks,  the thinner bits leave longer, easier to get with fork. Fill jar 2/3 white vinegar, whole garlic cloves just cracked, 1 whole chillie split you can use hot as you like the vinegar reduces heat . Top off with the secret ingredient French dressing this has the sweetness and herbs. Fill to the brim double layer of glad wrap over top then screw lid on. Shake leave in fridge for a week or two. Enjoy with

Faulkner Family's picture

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Cheers all. Will  be giving

Wed, 2024-01-17 09:46

Cheers all. Will  be giving it a crack

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RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together

Posts: 63

Date Joined: 28/01/14

Occy cooking

Wed, 2024-01-17 14:13

hopefully it pasted the link- but watch this video and the cooking at the end..like butter

 

 

 

https://youtu.be/T17Kzh6RE0c?si=1HWW3ZLHCFb6lwB2

little johnny's picture

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I do mine fresh

Wed, 2024-01-17 17:43

Throw against concrete until them go limp.( does same as freezing) breaks muscle tissue up. 50/50 white malt vinegar to water .4 heaped spoon full of salt. Boil for hour ( hot) gas the best. Turn off let sit for 20 mins . Stays together but very tender. Never fails

still trying's picture

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 Have done this before

Wed, 2024-01-17 18:31

 Have done this before definitely feel when it has happened. 

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Faulkner Family's picture

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Date Joined: 11/03/08

Thanks for all info about

Sat, 2024-01-20 17:46

Thanks for all info about cooking occy. Cooked up my first batch today using a pressure cooker for 30 minuits after freezing for a week.

Some for dinner tonight and some being pickled. Turned out tender as . Now to get the taste even better with just the right Ingredients

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RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together

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Date Joined: 18/01/12

 To be honest I'd have

Sun, 2024-01-21 05:43

 To be honest I'd have thought 30 min in a pressure cooker would be too much.

I use a pressure cooker quite a bit at home, and also cooked up a fair bit of occy.

Simply simmering about 30 min conventionally is fine, any longer longer leaves little or no texture.

24 min is how long I do ribs beef or pork in there, and occy needs a fair bit less.

When you start stripping skin/suckers off the legs and they keep breaking thats too much for my liking.

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Faulkner Family's picture

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Date Joined: 11/03/08

Your right about them

Sun, 2024-01-21 05:50

Your right about them breaking when taking the skin off. It's the first time trying it so less time in the cooker next time . At least it's a step in the right direction.  Every other time I have tried cooking occy it ended up chewing on boot leather .

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RUSS and SANDY. A family that fishes together stays together