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Fish, Africa and overseas

Zourite curry with rice

Zourite curry is a Reunionese dish of octopus simmered in a tomato sauce with garlic, ginger, and turmeric, served with rice. It serves 4, takes 75 minutes, has a medium difficulty level, and costs about €4.00 per serving. The key to success is a slow, gentle simmer that turns the octopus tender instead of rubbery.

Tonight we're making zourite curry, octopus simmered until tender in a Creole sauce, served with rice.

Zourite curry with rice
Total time
1 h 15
Difficulty
Medium
Cost per person
€4.00
Calories per person
600 kcalcalculated by Kiloach, your weight coach
Season
Summer, Fall

Zourite curry is the Reunionese way with octopus, simmered slowly in a tomato sauce spiced with turmeric, garlic, and ginger. Octopus has a reputation for turning rubbery, but here a long, unhurried simmer makes it fall apart tender. The chili pepper adds character without burning your mouth, as long as you add it whole and pull it out before serving.

This is a dish for an unhurried Sunday, when you have time to let the sauce reduce slowly while you get on with something else. It surprises guests who have never tried octopus curry, and it's a nice change from the usual seafood dinners. With Mon Chou, just pick a day when you're not rushed, the rest takes care of itself.

The ingredients

4 people

Fish counter

  • Pre-cooked octopus 900 g

Fruits and vegetables

  • Onions 2
  • Tomatoes 4
  • Garlic 3 cloves
  • Fresh ginger 20 g
  • Thyme 3 sprigs
  • Chili pepper 1

Pantry

  • Turmericoften in the pantry 1.5 tsp
  • Riceoften in the pantry 300 g
  • Oiloften in the pantry 3 tbsp
  • Saltoften in the pantry 1 pinch

Allergens Mollusks

The step by step recipe

  1. Cut the octopus into bite sized pieces.

    Keep the tentacles whole if you like a nice presentation, they look great on the plate.

  2. Sauté the onions, garlic, and ginger in the oil with the turmeric. 6 min

    A curry always starts with a fragrant base, don't rush this step.

  3. Add the octopus, let it release its water, then pour in the tomatoes, thyme, and chili pepper. 10 min

    The octopus releases water that becomes the broth, don't add any liquid yet.

  4. Cover and let simmer on low heat until the octopus is tender. 40 min

    Poke it with a knife, it should go in without resistance.

  5. Cook the rice in salted water and serve the curry with some well reduced sauce. 11 min

    Adjust the salt at the end, the octopus is naturally briny.

Our tips to get it right

  • Avoid stirring the octopus too much while it simmers, let it cook gently so it stays tender instead of shredding apart.
  • If the sauce is still too thin at the end, remove the lid for the last ten minutes to let it reduce and concentrate the flavor.
  • Lightly crush the garlic and ginger with the flat of a knife before chopping, it releases more aroma into the hot oil.

The variations

  • Swap the octopus for squid or shrimp for a quicker curry, cutting the simmering time down to 20 minutes.
  • For a vegetarian version, use eggplant and chickpeas instead of octopus, keeping the same simmering time.
  • For kids, remove the whole chili pepper before cooking and serve the sauce on the side so everyone can adjust the heat.

What to serve it with

  • Lime wedges squeezed on top
  • Spicy pickled vegetables
  • Cold lemon water

Storage

Zourite curry keeps 2 to 3 days in the fridge in a sealed container. It freezes well for up to 2 months, without the rice. Reheat gently over low heat with a splash of water to loosen the sauce.

Questions about this dish

Can I use raw octopus instead of pre-cooked?

Yes, but plan for about an hour of extra cooking time to tenderize it before adding the tomatoes. Pre-cooked octopus saves time without sacrificing the final tenderness.

How do I know when the octopus is cooked enough?

Poke a piece with the tip of a knife, it should slide in without resistance. If the flesh still feels firm, keep simmering on low heat for a few more minutes.

Can I make zourite curry ahead of time?

Yes, it's actually better made ahead since the flavors deepen as it sits. Make it the day before, keep it in the fridge, and reheat gently before serving with freshly cooked rice.

Does the chili pepper make it very spicy?

Not necessarily, if you leave it whole in the sauce without piercing it, it adds flavor without much heat. Remove it before serving if you prefer a milder taste.

How long does it take to make a zourite curry, Reunionese octopus stew, with rice?

Count 1 h 15 in total, prep and cooking included. The recipe is rated “medium”.

How many calories are in a zourite curry, Reunionese octopus stew, with rice?

About 600 kcal per serving, for a recipe meant for 4 people. Calories are calculated by Kiloach, your weight coach, the app that partners with Mon Chou.

How much does a zourite curry, Reunionese octopus stew, with rice cost?

About €4.00 per serving, or €16.00 for 4 people, based on average supermarket prices.

What allergens does this recipe contain?

This recipe contains mollusks. Always check the labels of the products you buy.

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