São Tomé and Príncipe

Polvo (Octopus)

Author São Tomé and Príncipe Ambassador
Difficulty
Ingredients \ 2 pax
  • 2 onion
  • 3 garlic cloves
  • 4 baby octopuses of about 250 g each (softer and faster to cook) or one 1 kg
  • octopus
  • 0.5 dl of vinegar
  • 2 dl of beer
  • chili
  • salt
  • 1 dl of palm oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 ripe tomatoes
Instructions

Thoroughly wash the octopus and cut it into medium pieces. Place in a pot together with the palm oil, chopped onions, chopped garlic, peeled, chopped and deseeded tomatoes, the bay leaf, and crushed chili. Cover and let cook on low heat, stirring occasionally. Add the beer after 15 mins.
Once the octopus is cooked, add the vinegar and let it boil for a bit longer with the pot covered. Remove from the heat and adjust the seasoning.
Serve with white rice or, as is traditional, with “Papas de Farinha de Mandioca” (Cassava Flour Paste). To make the latter, mix 500 g of cassava flour with 5 dl of water and a bit of salt in a pot. Cook on medium heat for about 10 mins, stirring constantly.

Serve with white rice or, as is traditional, with “Papas de Farinha de Mandioca”
Share recipe

Other recipes

From mains to sides, and from desserts to snacks: our Ambassadorial community has the perfect recipe for every occasion. Check out all the recipes in our diverse collection and discover how our Ambassadors cook their favourite dishes!

Spain
December 9th, 2020

Andalusian Gazpacho

This refreshing chilled tomato soup is a Spanish staple in the summer months. The quality of the tomatoes really determines the taste – use vine ripened tomatoes if available and ...

Cabo Verde
December 7th, 2020

Cachupa

Cachupa is Cape Verde’s signature stew. This recipe is for “Cachupa Rica”, i.e. rich Cachupa, so-called because it is made with meat. This recipe was kindly contributed by the EU ...

Guinea Bissau
December 7th, 2020

Marisco em Caldo de Mancarra (Seafood with Peanut Sauce)

This recipe was kindly contributed by the EU Delegation to Guinea-Bissau. It was selected and prepared by the graduates of a Traditional Culinary course under the project “Promotion of the ...