Braised Octopus and Choy Sum

Low-Amine Braised Octopus and Choy Sum (gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, egg-free, nut-free, tomato-free, low-fat, low-carb).

Low-amine braised octopus sounded like a good dinner idea at the time. Two hours later, I was proven right. It was delicious. The octopus and choy sum is served in a Spring Onion broth that balances the saltier low-amine “soy sauce” flavor a bit and makes it more delicate. This dish can be served split into two main components (as shown above), or served all together. I would have preferred to use fresh octopus, as it is both tastier and lower in amines, but I was not able to. If you can get fresh octopus, do so!

2 lb octopus, cut into small pieces.

20 pcs. baby choy sum (or baby bok choy)

2/3 C soy sauce substitute

2 medium yellow onions

5 Tbsp ginger slices, divided (3T, 2T)

5 C vegetable, chicken, or beef broth

10 cloves garlic, pressed

1 Tbsp butter or safflower oil

1 bundle green onions

2 kombu pieces

1/2 tsp nigella seeds (optional)

"Soy sauce" braised octopus and onions, served in spring onion broth.

• Make soy sauce substitute, if you haven’t already. I suggest making a double batch so that you have some for later, but it’s up to you.
• Preheat oven to 300 degrees.
• Cut one onion into rings and line the bottom of a dutch oven with the rings. Add about 3 Tbsp ginger slices on top.

Onion and ginger in the dutch oven for low-amine braised octopus and choy sum.

• Add octopus on top of the ginger and onion, and pour 2/3 C soy sauce substitute over the top. Close the dutch oven and put it in the oven. Set timer for 1 hour 20 minutes.

Octopus (for lower amine, please use fresh octopus)

"Soy sauce" poured over the top of octopus, ginger, and onion.

• Roughly chop remaining onion, and cut 2 Tbsp ginger into matchsticks.
• Heat butter/oil and cook garlic until starting to brown. Remove from heat.
• In a larger pot, add onion, ginger, kombu, garlic, and broth. Bring to a boil and reduce to a low simmer. Cover.

Kombu for spring onion broth.

• When the timer goes off, add well-washed choy sum to the dutch oven. Return to the oven for another 40 minutes.

Low-amine choy sum to be added to "soy sauce" braised octopus

• Strain broth out using a colander, and return to the pot. Keep broth on low and warm.
• Wash green onions and cut off roots. Discard roots.
• Slice green onions on a sharp diagonal. 5 minutes before the octopus is done, turn heat on broth back up, and add green onions. Cook until lightly tender.
• Scoop out octopus and choy sum and serve in a deep dish or bowl. You can separate the choy sum from the octopus and onion, or serve it together.

Low-amine baby choy sum sprinkled with nigella seeds, plated floating in spring onion broth.

• Ladle the spring onion broth around it, and serve with a sprinkle of nigella seeds.

Low-amine "soy sauce" braised octopus and choy sum with a spring onion broth.

AMINE BREAKDOWN:

Very Low Amine: baby choy sum (or bok choy), onion, ginger, garlic, green onion

Low Amine: octopus, soy sauce substitute, broth, butter / safflower oil

High Amine: kombu pieces

Unknown: nigella seeds (optional)

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