Anyone use wine corks in cooking?

Epicurean Exploits - Food and Recipes
1

I’m watching the first episode of Season 10 of “Chopped” on Amazon streaming video. Its Iron Chefs competing against each other.

Cat Cora threw a wine cork into the water to cook with octopus. She said it adds tannins and acidity to the dish.

Anyone else do this?

2

CAT = TCA

3

This seems like a bad idea.

4

Yep (not that I’ve done it myself but) the cork in the octopus thing is very traditional.

5

+1 have heard that many times

But Harold McGee has some ideas as well
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/03/05/dining/05curious.html?_r=0

6

My first thought was a cork-hot-dog.
Never done.
Have no particular interest in trying.

7

We always throw a cork in with the octopus. Not sure if it works, but why take a chance?

8

I’ll have to give these a try. I’ve usually done a long slow simmer with herbs but have never been entirely satisified with the results. Good but not company quality.

9

I’ve tried the cork with the octopus, but it’s very tricky to cook them to the same tenderness.

10

Yes, I have used it all the times I boil squid and octopus.
I use a good cork, that is clean, and then toss it into the compost pile after 1 use.
My octopus and squid come out tender.
Good be just folklore.
When I was in Lipari (an Aeolian island), I had great octopus. Then would fork the octopus and then dip it in rolling boiling water several times. They too used a cork.
I use a big pot, lots of water, and a good amount of salt to keep the heat up.
Toss in the cork and then add the squid or octopus.
I’m a believer.
Ciao!

11

You might try a copper penny

12

In Japan they massage it with salt and pound it with a daikon. Anyone try that?

13

I try not to beat my meat. [whistle.gif] [wow.gif] [snort.gif] [swoon.gif]

14

How long do you cook them? The New York Times guy was talking about 4 hours at 190 degrees.

15

2 ways to cook octopus and keep it tender. High heat for a short time. Maybe 8 minutes. The second is at medium heat for a long time. At least 45 min.

I think the cork thing is an urban myth. Always get very tender octopus with no cork.

16

Never once have I cooked octopus without putting a cork in the liquid.

17

Have you ever cooked octopus. [stirthepothal.gif] neener

18

+1 cork for squid and octopus. Very traditional. [blush2.gif]

19

NYT says lose the cork, add some science:

20

Well…no