Delicious Artichokes Recipes

THE MOST AMAZING ROASTED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Use a knife to slice off the bottom 1/2-inch (or more, if you'd like) of the artichoke stems, and the top 1 inch of the artichoke globes (the leaves on top). Remove and discard any small leaves toward the bottoms of the stems. Rinse the artichokes with water.
• Slice the artichokes in half vertically. Use a spoon to scoop out the fuzzy "choke" in the middle of the artichoke. Then use kitchen shears to trim about 1/4/-inch off the pointy tips of each of the artichoke leaves (so that they don't poke you when you eat them). Rub a lemon wedge all over the entire surface of each artichoke half, to prevent browning.
• Place the artichoke halves in a baking dish or on a baking sheet cut-side-up. Brush the cut sides of the artichokes evenly with the olive oil. Then fill the cavities evenly with the garlic, followed by a few small sprigs of the fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
• Flip the artichokes over, using the herbs to help hold in the garlic, so that they are cut-side-down. Brush the tops of the artichokes with oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Then remove and cover the pan with aluminum foil, and bake for an additional 25-35 minutes, or until the artichokes are tender and the leaves pull off easily.
• Place the tray on a cooling rack. Carefully remove, discard the herbs (or stir them into your dipping sauce for extra flavor), and drizzle the artichokes with extra lemon juice.
• Serve the roasted artichokes warm with your desired dipping sauce.

SIMPLY DELICIOUS ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• In a large pot, bring 3 quarts of water and 1/4 cup of the salt to a boil.
• Place the artichokes on a cutting board. With a sharp chef's knife, trim the stem ends off until the bottom is flat. This way, the artichokes can sit upright. Cut the top third from each artichoke and discard.
• With kitchen scissors, cut the pointed tip from each of the remaining outer leaves. Discard.
• Rub the cut areas with the lemon halves.
• Squeeze any remaining juice from the lemon halves and add the juice to the boiling water along with the juiced lemon halves themselves.
• Using a slotted spoon or skimmer, carefully add the artichokes to the boiling water. Top with a heavy pot lid or heat-proof baking dish that will fit inside the pot, so that the weight will keep the artichokes submerged in the water. This is a bit tricky. Be sure to have an adult help with this.
• Lower the heat and cook at a slow boil until the artichokes are tender, about 20 to 30 minutes. With oven mitts or pot holders, carefully remove the lid or weighted dish from the top of the artichokes.
• With a slotted spoon or skimmer, and with a small bowl or dish held underneath to catch the hot water, carefully transfer the artichokes to a colander set in a sink. With tongs, turn each artichoke upside down and place in the colander. Let drain, inverted, until cool enough to handle.
• To make the lemon-butter sauce, melt the butter over medium heat in a small saucepan.
• Add the remaining 2 tablespoons of lemon juice and the remaining teaspoon of salt, and stir to combine.
• Remove the lemon-butter sauce from the heat and transfer to small dipping bowls to serve with the artichokes.
• Serve the artichokes either warm or cold.

ROASTED ARTICHOKES WITH PARMESAN BREADCRUMBS

Steps:

• For the artichokes: Preheat the oven to 475 degrees F. Cut the lemons in half and squeeze the juice into a bowl. Add water.
• Trim the top 1 inch off the tops of the artichokes. Use kitchen shears to trim the pointy edges off the leaves. Trim the ends of the artichokes. Cut the artichokes in half through the centers. Use a spoon to scoop out the fuzzy chokes and the purple leaves. Place the artichokes in the lemon water as you work to prevent them from browning.
• Shake off the water from the artichokes and place, cut-sides down, in a small baking dish coated with cooking spray. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Bake until the artichokes are tender, 25 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet. Add the panko and cook until toasted, about 2 minutes. Remove to a small bowl and let stand until room temperature, about 10 minutes. Stir in the lemon zest, Parmesan and parsley.
• Make the lemon-garlic aioli: Stir together the mayonnaise, lemon juice and garlic in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, turn over the artichokes and sprinkle with the panko mixture, stuffing some between the leaves. Drizzle or dip with the aioli.