A massive one meter octopus paired with vegetables in a way that feels cinematic. The contrast is wild and slightly intimidating. This is cooking with presence. The octopus dominates the plate.

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay at a live cooking demonstraton. - Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images For all but the most experienced or merely cavalier among us, octopus can be pretty tricky to make at home.

1. Fill a large sauce pot half way with water. 2. Add the baking soda and one lemon cut in half. 3. Bring water to a rolling boil. 4. Once water is at a boil, dip your octopus in the water three times ...