The first time I tried this recipe, the salad looked nice, but didn't taste good. It was really bitter.The original recipe calls for watercress, shiso (perilla)(10 leaves) and boiled tako (octopus)--about 1 leg. The dressing is just lemon juice and some oil.
So, I changed the recipe and I think this version is better.The day I wanted to make this, the supermarket had no watercress, so I subbed it with rocket/arugula. For the dressing, I used the bi bim kook soo sauce. Cut and toss.
Doesn't look as nice as the first photo, but sure does taste better.
Hi Kat - Looks great....I love good tako.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kirkk, I love good tako too.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
YUM. i have been dying for some grilled tako. this always reminds me of when our neighbors came over for a tako dinner when we were kids, and they were shocked, "THOSE aren't tacos!"
ReplyDeleteThat is a cute story, Bourgogne :) Kind of like me trying to explain tacos to the Japanese and they are thinking about tako :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
That looks so good! I really have to get over my fear of cooking with octopus and squid!
ReplyDeleteHi Kat,
ReplyDeleteI like eating octopus but have never tried cooking it myself. Please help me out with the following. How long do you boil tako for? Is the water salted or anything special? Cheers.
BTW when did you and your readers 1st eat tako? For me I think it was when I first came to Kyoto to live and had 'takoyaki'. As far as I know it's not eaten much (if at all) in NZ.
TK
I cheat with this debinhawaii, the octopus is already cooked, just add into the salad. I think if I had to do it with the whole octopus, I would be a wimp.
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat
Hi Tamakikat,
ReplyDeleteWhen you go to the supermarket, look in their seafood section, you will see mushi (steamed) & boiled octopus legs. I usually buy these to use in different recipes.
The first time I had octopus was in Hawaii growing up, it is often served as beer chasers to the adults, but for us kids as snacks before dinner.
Take care.
Kat
I'll take bi bim kook soo sauce over lemon juice and oil anytime! Looks really tasty, although I bet it would've been even better with the watercress (another veg that I haven't eaten in awhile) :-(
ReplyDeleteThanks Kat,
ReplyDeleteI'll give 'tako ryouri' a go. And those bagels:)
TK
I think I will re-try this when I see watercress in the store, Rowena.
ReplyDeleteI hope you like them Tamakikat :)
Take care you two.
Kat
Your version of the tako salad sounds very good!
ReplyDeleteThanks Lori, I hope you get a chance to try it :)
ReplyDeleteTake care.
Kat