Artichoke N Fennel Lasagna Recipes

ARTICHOKE AND FENNEL CRUDO

Steps:

• Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice in a small bowl. In a separate medium bowl, place the arugula. Spoon a small amount of the dressing onto the arugula and toss to coat. Spread a bed of arugula on a plate and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the sliced artichokes, fennel, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper with the remaining dressing. Mix well to coat. Mound the artichoke mixture on top of the arugula. Top with the shaved Parmesan and serve.

ARTICHOKE SPINACH LASAGNA

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Spray a 9x13 inch baking dish with cooking spray.
• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add noodles and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain.
• Spray a large skillet with cooking spray and heat on medium-high. Saute onion and garlic for 3 minutes, or until onion is tender-crisp. Stir in broth and rosemary; bring to a boil. Stir in artichoke hearts and spinach; reduce heat, cover and simmer 5 minutes. Stir in pasta sauce.
• Spread 1/4 of the artichoke mixture in the bottom of the prepared baking dish; top with 3 cooked noodles. Sprinkle 3/4 cup mozzarella cheese over noodles. Repeat layers 2 more times, ending with artichoke mixture and mozzarella cheese. Sprinkle crumbled feta on top.
• Bake, covered, for 40 minutes. Uncover, and bake 15 minutes more, or until hot and bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.

SPINACH-ARTICHOKE LASAGNA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 400 degrees. Boil a kettle of water (an electric kettle works great here).
• Meanwhile, heat a medium saucepan over medium-high. Add the olive oil and artichoke hearts and cook, stirring occasionally, until the artichoke hearts fall apart, become jammy and start to brown at the edges, 10 to 15 minutes. Add the spinach, season with salt and pepper, and stir until considerably wilted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl and return the saucepan to the stove (no need to wash it out).
• Make the béchamel sauce: In the saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Whisk in the flour and cook, whisking constantly until smooth, 1 to 2 minutes. Still whisking constantly, slowly add the half-and-half. Raise the heat to high and bring to a simmer, whisking all the while, then immediately reduce the heat to continue simmering, now whisking occasionally, until the sauce thickens to the consistency of gravy, 10 to 20 minutes. Season generously with salt, pepper and nutmeg.
• Add half of the béchamel to the bowl with the artichokes. Stir to combine and cool slightly, for about 15 minutes. While the mixture cools, place the lasagna noodles in a large high-sided pan or dish, pour over the recently boiled water from the kettle and let soak until the noodles are softened but not soggy, about 15 minutes. Add the cottage cheese, Parmesan and egg to the artichoke mixture, season with salt and pepper and stir to combine.
• Assemble the lasagna: In an 8-inch square baking pan or dish, add enough béchamel to thinly coat the bottom. Put down a single layer of lasagna noodles, about 3 noodles, letting the ends rise up the edges of the pan. Spread half of the artichoke mixture evenly over the noodles. Turn the pan 90 degrees and put down another layer of lasagna noodles, again pressing the ends up against the edges of the pan. Spread half of the béchamel evenly over the noodles. Repeat these layers once more with the remaining lasagna noodles, artichoke mixture and béchamel, ending with the béchamel. Evenly sprinkle the mozzarella on top. (At this point, you can cover the lasagna and refrigerate it for up to 24 hours if not baking right away.)
• Bake the lasagna until the sauce is bubbling at the edges (especially in the corners of the pan), and the mozzarella and the exposed ends of the noodles are golden brown and crispy, 15 to 20 minutes. (Add more time if baking directly from the refrigerator.) Let cool for at least 30 minutes before slicing so that slices won't collapse when transferred to plates.

FRITO MISTO OF ARTICHOKES AND FENNEL

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with water, and add lemon juice. Peel away outer leaves of artichokes, leaving tender pale green leaves. Peel stems, and cut off spiny tops of leaves. Cut lengthwise into quarters. Immediately add artichokes to water.
• Slice fennel bulb in half through the root. Slice each half crosswise, about 1/4 inch thick. Slices should be half-moon shapes. Place fennel in a medium bowl, and set aside. In a small bowl, combine cheese, garlic and parsley. Toss gently to mix.
• In a large deep pan, heat oil over medium-low heat to 275 degrees. Drain artichokes, and dry completely with a dish towel. Add artichokes to oil, and cook until they begin to open and brown. Remove from pan, and let drain on paper towels.
• Raise heat to medium-high or 350 degrees. Pour milk over fennel, and place flour in a medium bowl. Strain fennel, then toss lightly in flour to coat. Drop fennel and artichokes into oil, and fry until golden brown and crispy. Using a strainer, remove from oil and place on a plate lined with paper towels. Let drain for 30 seconds, then transfer to a large bowl. Sprinkle parsley mixture and a little olive oil over artichoke mixture. Season with salt. Toss briefly to combine ingredients. Transfer to a serving bowl or platter, with lemon wedges.