Cari Ourite

Name: Cari Ourite
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 70 min
Total time: 90 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Mauritian
Ingredients: 1kg octopus, cleaned and cut into pieces; 2 tomatoes, chopped; 1 onion, diced; 4 cloves garlic, minced; 1 thumb ginger, grated; 200ml coconut milk; 10 curry leaves; 2 tbsp curry powder; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp ground turmeric; 2 green chillies; 2 tbsp vegetable oil; Salt to taste; 300ml water

Cari Ourite (kah-REE oo-REET)

Octopus Curry

⏱ Prep Time 1 hour 30 min

📈 Difficulty Hard

👥 Servings

🔥 Calories 336 kcal

Tender octopus pieces simmered in a rich tomato and coconut curry with curry leaves, cumin, and chilli, a coastal Mauritian delicacy.

Nutrition & Info

Protein 30.0g

Carbs 18.0g

Fat 16.0g

Protein Carbs Fat

Dietary

vegetarian gluten-free nut-free

Allergen Warnings

⚠ mollusks

Equipment Needed

heavy saucepan pressure cooker optional knife

Presentation Guide

Vessel: deep serving bowl

Garnishes: curry leaves, coriander

Accompaniments: steamed rice, achards, roti

Ingredients

1kg octopus, cleaned and cut into pieces
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 onion, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 thumb ginger, grated
200ml coconut milk
10 curry leaves
2 tbsp curry powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp ground turmeric
2 green chillies
2 tbsp vegetable oil
Salt to taste
300ml water

Instructions

1
Boil octopus pieces in salted water for forty-five minutes until tender. A pressure cooker reduces this to twenty minutes.
2
Heat oil in a saucepan, fry curry leaves, onion, garlic, and ginger until golden and aromatic.
3
Add curry powder, turmeric, and cumin. Toast spices for one minute, stirring constantly.
4
Add tomatoes, chillies, and salt. Cook five minutes until tomatoes break down into a sauce.
5
Add the tender octopus pieces, coconut milk, and water. Simmer for fifteen minutes to meld flavours.
6
Serve hot with steamed rice, ensuring each portion has plenty of the rich coconut curry sauce.

💡

Did You Know?

Mauritian fishermen traditionally tenderize octopus by beating it against rocks on the shore, a practice still seen in fishing villages.

Chef's Notes

Equipment Tips

heavy saucepan
pressure cooker optional
knife

Garnishing

curry leaves, coriander

Accompaniments

steamed rice, achards, roti

The Story Behind Cari Ourite

Cari ourite is one of the most celebrated dishes of coastal Mauritius, where octopus fishing has been a way of life for centuries. The curry preparation reflects the Indian spice influence, while the use of octopus connects to the island's maritime heritage. Fishermen's wives developed the recipe to transform the tough cephalopod into a tender, flavourful dish, and it remains a proud expression of Mauritian coastal culture.

🕐 Traditionally enjoyed special occasion, coastal feast 📜 Origins: Traditional coastal Mauritian

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