Stuffed Artichokes Recipe 455

Steps:

• Mix 3 cups breadcrumbs, 3 grated garlic cloves, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1 cup each grated parmesan, pecorino, chopped parsley and olive oil in a bowl. Trim 4 large artichokes (see Cook's Note), removing the stems. Separate the leaves; stuff the crumb mixture between each. Stand upright in a steamer basket over simmering water, cover and steam over medium-low heat, adding more water as needed, until tender, about 1 hour, 20 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil and some of the cooking liquid.

Steps:

• Snip the pointed tips of artichoke leaves, and cut off the stems. Wash and drain. Holding artichoke firmly by base, firmly rap the top of it on a hard surface; this will open it so it can be stuffed.
• In a medium bowl combine bread cubes, garlic, parsley, Romano cheese, oregano, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, salt and pepper; mix well.
• Press about 1/2 cup of stuffing into each artichoke. Tightly pack stuffed artichokes together in a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven. Add enough water to reach half way up artichokes and add 3 tablespoons oil.
• Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, or until leaves pull out easily.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Add the breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, anchovy, chile flakes and 1/2 teaspoon salt to a large bowl. Finely grate the zest of 1 lemon into the bowl. Squeeze the juice of the lemon in a small bowl with the oil, then drizzle the lemon juice mixture into the breadcrumb mixture and mix with a fork until well combined and the mixture resembles wet sand. Stir in the Parmesan and set aside until ready to use.
• Fill a large bowl with ice water. Squeeze in the juice of 1 lemon and drop in the lemon halves. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, cut off all but 1/2-inch of the stem. Use a serrated knife to slice about 1 inch off of the top. Use kitchen shears to trim the point off each leaf, removing 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Use your fingers to gently pull open the center leaves of the artichoke then use a spoon to scoop out and discard the fuzzy choke in the middle. (Note that removing the choke takes some effort and will make eating the final product much more enjoyable.) Submerge the cleaned artichoke in the lemon water to prevent browning and repeat with the remaining artichokes.
• Working with one artichoke at a time, remove from the water and use a clean kitchen towel to pat dry. Gently pull apart the leaves on each layer and stuff with the breadcrumbs over the bowl to avoid a mess, pressing lightly as you stuff (you will use about 2/3 cup stuffing per artichoke). Gently set the stuffed artichoke in a 9-by-9-inch casserole dish (do not use glass) or a large cast-iron skillet, standing it up on the flat stem if possible, or gently resting on the side if not. Note that you will want the artichokes to be snug in the dish to remain upright during baking. Repeat with the remaining artichokes and breadcrumbs.
• Pour the wine and 1/2 cup water into the bottom of the pan. Slice the remaining lemon into rounds and nestle them into the liquid. Tightly cover the dish with foil and bake until the artichokes leaves are tender and can be easily pulled off, 60 to 75 minutes. Remove the dish from the oven and increase the temperature to 500 degrees F.
• Remove the foil and return the dish to the oven. Bake until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crisp, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove the artichokes from the dish with tongs and place onto a serving plate. Serve with the cooking liquid lemon slices.

Steps:

• 1. Prepare a large bowl or pan for artichoke soak. Put water and about 1 TB. lemon juice in bowl or pan. Set aside. It should be able to hold 4 artichokes. I use a LARGE salad bowl.
• 2. Cut off thick stems of artichoke so it can stand on its own (also cut off ragged bottom of stem). Trim hard outer layer of stem off and throw away. Chop your stem in fine pieces and put aside. Cut off top of artichoke and trim off the edges of the leaves (the prickly parts) with kitchen shears. With artichoke on plate, open artichoke up gently by sticking your thumbs in the middle of each layer and push out a bit. Do this gently as not to break the leaves. It will resemble a flower. After each artichoke is prepared, drop it in the lemon water so it won't brown.
• 3. Mix Bread crumbs, garlic, Parmesan cheese, artichoke stem pieces, parsley, salt and pepper in a large cake mixing bowl. Add oil (more or less what I posted) to mixture until the mixture starts to hold together a bit (like streusel topping) and ball up a little when you squeeze it. I do this part with clean hands to FEEL the consistency. When this is done - retrieve an artichoke from lemon water and shake excess water off before stuffing it.
• 4. Set one artichoke in bowl with bread crumb mixture and start stuffing the filling between each leaf, starting on the outside, working your way toward the middle. Stuff the meatiest leaves, the last ¼ towards the middle doesn't really need the stuffing. After all the artichokes are stuffed, you can put any extra stuffing on top to fill in the cracks and make it even. Place the artichokes in a very wide deep cooking pot. You want the artichokes to JUST fit in the pan, crowded (they hold up better this way) and able to cover with a pot lid. Fill skillet or pot with water 1 to 2 inches up the side of the artichoke. Drizzle tops of artichokes with good olive oil. Partially cover the pan with lid leaving ½ or 1 inch open to let some steam out and bring to boil, then turn heat down to low and simmer. The artichokes will take at least 1 hour to cook and up to 2 hours depending on the size of the artichokes. Keep a small pitcher of water close by to refill the water if it gets too low. If you don't, the water will steam out and burn the artichokes.
• 5. It will be ready when you are able to easily pull a leaf from the center out and the artichoke is very tender. I serve with melted butter and lemon slices or a mixture of:1/2 c. Sour Cream, 1 TB Horseradish, ½ teas. Lemon Pepper, and 1 TB. Lemon juice. Don't forget the HEART...it's the best part!

Steps:

• Squeeze the lemon halves into a large bowl and fill the bowl with cold water. Trim the bottom off each artichoke. Trim off the tough outer leaves. Snip the thorny tips off the top leaves. As each one is completed, place it in the lemon water to prevent it from discoloring.
• In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic, and parsley and season with pepper. Pull each leaf open slightly from each artichoke and stuff a little filling into the opening. Place the artichokes snugly side by side in a large pan with a tight-fitting lid. Add 1 inch of water to the pot. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and steam until the bottoms of the artichokes are tender, 35 to 45 minutes; a knife should insert easily. Make sure the water doesn't boil dry. Add more water if necessary.
• Serve each artichoke hot, on an individual plate.