Polvo Guisado com Batata Doce
A hearty and flavorful Angolan octopus stew slow-cooked with sweet potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and aromatic spices. This dish offers a tender octopus and a rich, savory sauce.
🧂 Ingredients
- 1.5 kg Octopus(cleaned and cut into bite-sized pieces)
- 500 g Sweet potatoes(peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes)
- 2 large Onions(chopped)
- 3 medium Tomatoes(diced)
- 5 cloves Garlic(minced)
- 50 ml Red palm oil
- 2 tbsp Olive oil
- 200 ml Red wine
- 1 Bay leaf
- 1 small Scotch bonnet pepper(finely chopped (optional, adjust to taste))
- 1 tsp Salt(to taste)
- 0.5 tsp Black pepper(freshly ground)
- 300 ml Water or fish stock
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil and red palm oil over medium-high heat. Add the chopped onions and sauté until softened, about 5-7 minutes.
- 2
Add the minced garlic and chopped scotch bonnet pepper (if using) and cook for 1 minute until fragrant.
- 3
Add the octopus pieces to the pot and sear for about 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
- 4
Stir in the diced tomatoes, red wine, bay leaf, salt, and black pepper. Pour in the water or fish stock.
- 5
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low, cover the pot, and simmer for 1 hour, or until the octopus is tender.
- 6
Add the cubed sweet potatoes to the pot. Stir, cover, and continue to simmer for another 30-40 minutes, or until the sweet potatoes are tender and the sauce has thickened.
- 7
Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. Remove the bay leaf before serving.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓To tenderize the octopus, you can boil it in water for about 30 minutes before adding it to the stew.
- ✓Ensure the octopus is fresh; it should not have a strong fishy odor.
- ✓Serve hot with rice or funge.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Add other root vegetables like cassava or yams.
- For a different flavor profile, use a dry white wine instead of red wine.
- Some recipes incorporate a tablespoon of tomato paste for a deeper tomato flavor.