Gyeongju Jjukkumi

Gyeongju Jjukkumi is a flavorful Korean seafood dish featuring tender baby octopus marinated in a spicy sauce, then grilled to perfection. This Paleo-friendly recipe highlights the natural taste of the seafood while incorporating fresh vegetables for a healthy and satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• Baby octopus - 300 grams
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 3 cloves, minced
• Ginger - 1 teaspoon, grated
• Gochujang (Korean chili paste) - 1 tablespoon
• Coconut aminos - 2 tablespoons
• Sesame oil - 1 teaspoon
• Green onions - 2, chopped
• Bell pepper - 1, sliced
• Zucchini - 1 medium, sliced
• Lemon - 1, juiced
• Cilantro - 2 tablespoons, chopped
• Salt - to taste
• Pepper - to taste

Steps

1. Clean the baby octopus under cold water, removing the beak and any innards.
2. In a bowl, mix olive oil, minced garlic, grated ginger, gochujang, coconut aminos, sesame oil, lime juice, salt, and pepper to create a marinade.
3. Add the cleaned baby octopus to the marinade, ensuring they are well-coated. Let it marinate for at least 15 minutes.
4. While the octopus marinates, prepare the vegetables by slicing the bell pepper and zucchini, and chopping the green onions and cilantro.
5. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat.
6. Once the grill is hot, add the marinated baby octopus and grill for about 5-7 minutes, turning occasionally until they are cooked through and slightly charred.
7. In the last 2 minutes of grilling, add the sliced bell pepper and zucchini to the grill, allowing them to soften and get grill marks.
8. Remove the octopus and vegetables from the grill, and toss them together with chopped green onions and cilantro before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 290
• Protein: 25 g
• Carbs: 15 g
• Fiber: 3 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 100 mg
• Total Fat: 15 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein, promoting muscle growth and repair.
• Rich in omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial for heart health.

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