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Octopus Rice — traditional dish from Algarve, Portugal
Main course Fish & Seafood

Food Flavour DNA

Nutritional Values

🔥460kcal
💪30gProtein
🌾60gCarbs
🥑12gFat
🌿3gFibre
⚖️400 gServing

* Per serving · 400 g. May vary.

Octopus Rice

How to order / say it
Say it Arroz de Polvo — [ah-ROHZ deh POHL-voo]
Order I'd like the octopus rice, please.
Locally Quero o arroz de polvo, por favor.
Say locally

A comforting creamy rice dish featuring tender octopus and aromatic herbs.

Why try it?

Octopus rice is a staple in Faro's homes, a comforting family dish that showcases the love for seafood and traditional cooking. Its deep flavors provide a taste of the region's culinary dedication and maritime culture.

How it tastes

Features tender octopus pieces embedded in creamy, savory rice. Infused with aromatic herbs and spices, each bite is luscious and full-bodied, perfect for those who enjoy complex seafood flavors.

Origin & History — first documented: 1860

This dish has deep roots in Portuguese coastal communities dating back to the 1800s. As octopus was widely available, combining it with rice made an economical and nourishing family meal.

Recipe

Ingredients

  • 🦐 400 g octopus
  • 🌾 200 g rice
  • 🧄 1 onion
  • 🧄 2 cloves garlic
  • 🫒 2 tbsp olive oil
  • 🌿 1 bay leaf
  • 🌿 10 g parsley
  • 🥣 100 ml tomato puree

Method

  1. 1 Cook octopus in a large pot with water until tender, then chop.
  2. 2 Sauté onion and garlic in olive oil, add rice, stirring well.
  3. 3 Stir in octopus, tomato puree, bay leaf, and water; simmer until rice is cooked.
  4. 4 Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.
All Europe recipes — Portugal — Faro — Octopus Rice
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