Fried Artichokes Recipes

FRIED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Using a paring knife, remove the outer leaves, and trim the artichoke down to the choke. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the woody outermost layer of the stem.
• Use a spoon to remove the inedible hairy leaves and slice into quarters. Place the artichokes in a bowl of water with some lemon juice to keep the artichoke from oxidizing or turning brown.
• Add the flour to a casserole dish and whisk in some salt and pepper.
• Heat the vegetable oil in a high-sided skillet or Dutch oven.
• Dredge the artichokes in the flour, shaking off the excess. Once the oil is hot, slip the artichokes in the hot oil and fry for about 4 to 5 minutes, using tongs to flip them from time to time.
• Transfer the artichokes and let drain on a paper towel-lined platter and sprinkle with salt.
• Serve with Fish Tacos.
• For the pico de gallo: Mix together the tomatoes, capers, olive oil, lemon juice, cilantro and onions in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the radishes: Slice the radishes in half lengthwise, then into thin half-moons (and a few into quarter moons, if you want, for varied texture). Toss the radishes together with the anchovies, parsley and olive oil in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• For the fish tacos: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Whisk together the flour, semolina flour, baking powder, sea salt and some pepper in a large bowl. Slowly whisk in the beer and set aside.
• Add enough canola oil to a large cast-iron or other low-sided skillet to come halfway up the sides. Heat the oil to 350 degrees F. (Use a deep fry thermometer to be sure - or do it the grandma way and add a piece of bread to see if it fries and browns - if it does, it's ready).
• Slice the tilapia into 1/2-inch strips or "finger"-size pieces.
• When the oil is hot, dip each piece of tilapia into the batter using tongs, allowing excess to drip off. Carefully add to the hot oil one piece at a time. Fry in batches until golden brown and the fish is cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oil with a slotted spider or skimmer and drain on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet.
• Meanwhile, warm the tortillas by wrapping them in foil and placing them in the oven for 10 minutes. To serve, place one piece of fish on a warmed tortilla. Top with shredded lettuce and an avocado slice. Serve with a lemon wedge, pico de gallo and radishes with anchovies.

ROMAN-JEWISH FRIED ARTICHOKES (CARCIOFI ALLA GIUDIA) RECIPE

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with water; halve and squeeze 2 lemons into it. Trim artichokes following Roman-Jewish artichoke guidelines shown here : Remove tough dark green outer leaves to expose more tender light-green leaves within, then, using a paring knife, cut off top half of each leaf and trim base and stem. Trimmed artichokes will look like a closed rosebud. Transfer the peeled artichokes to the bowl of lemon water as you work, covering them with a clean kitchen towel to keep them completely submerged.
• In a large saucepan, heat 2 to 3 inches of oil to 280°F (130°C). Add artichokes (they should produce a steady but non-violent stream of bubbles) and cook until tender (you should be able to pierce their hearts easily with a fork), adjusting heat to maintain a steady bubble, about 10 minutes for baby artichokes and 15 minutes for larger ones. Turn larger artichokes frequently for even cooking.
• Using a slotted spoon or spider, transfer artichokes to a paper towel-lined plate. Let stand until cool enough to handle. Using your hands, gently pull open each artichoke "bud" so that it resembles an open flower. If using large artichokes, remove and discard the hair "choke" in the center of the artichoke. Increase oil temperature to 350°F (177°C).
• Fry artichokes until browned and crisp, 2 to 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or spider, transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Season immediately with salt. Transfer to plates and serve right away with wedges of remaining lemon.

FRIED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with cold water. Add juice of 2 lemons; set aside. Remove outer leaves from artichokes. Holding onto the stem of each artichoke, smash each artichoke on work surface until remaining leaves of artichokes open, resembling a flower in bloom. Transfer artichokes to bowl of acidulated water.
• Pour 1 1/2 inches olive oil into a large saucepan, and heat over medium heat to 320 degrees. Dry artichokes well. Add to saucepan, and cook until artichoke bottoms are fork-tender, about 4 minutes.
• Remove from saucepan, and drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Set aside to cool for about 5 minutes. Season with salt, and return to saucepan. Dip fingertips in ice water, and flick about 1 teaspoon of water into saucepan. Continue to cook until crisp and golden, about 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make vinaigrette: In a small bowl, whisk together 3/4 cup olive oil, remaining 1/4 cup lemon juice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Place radicchio in a medium bowl, and drizzle 1/4 cup vinaigrette over radicchio; toss to combine. Transfer to a platter.
• Remove fried artichokes to a paper towel-lined baking sheet to drain. Halve artichokes lengthwise, and place on radicchio. Drizzle with vinaigrette, reserving any extra for another use. Serve immediately.

FRIED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with cold water and squeeze juice from 2 lemon halves into bowl.
• Keep stem attached and, at opposite end, cut off top inch of 1 artichoke with a serrated knife. Bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base, then discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until you reach pale yellow leaves with pale green tips. Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and side of artichoke with a paring knife, then rub cut surfaces with a remaining lemon half.
• Trim 1/4 inch from end of stem to expose inner core. Trim sides of stem (still attached) down to pale inner core (don't worry if remaining stem is very thin). Cut off pale green top of artichoke, then cut artichoke lengthwise into 6 wedges. Cut out purple leaves and fuzzy choke. Rub cut surfaces with remaining lemon half and put in bowl of acidulated water. Trim remaining artichokes in same manner.
• Drain artichokes well on paper towels and pat dry. Heat oil in a 4-quart deep heavy saucepan over moderate heat until thermometer registers 220°F, then simmer artichokes in oil, gently stirring occasionally, until tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Continue to heat oil over moderate heat until thermometer registers 375°F, then fry artichokes in 4 batches until leaves are curled, browned, and crisp, 30 to 40 seconds. (Return oil to 375°F between batches.) Drain well on paper towels and season with salt.

FRIED ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or heavy deep skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Place seasoned bread crumbs in a separate bowl. Dip artichoke hearts in the egg mixture, then roll in bread crumbs until they are fully covered.
• Deep-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until deep golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain excess oil. When all the pieces have been fried, place on a serving tray and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

FRIED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Slice the tops off the artichokes horizontally. Trim the outer leaves. Slice the artichokes into thirds and put them in a bowl of cold water into which you have squeezed half of one of the lemons. This will help to prevent them turning brown.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan. Dry the artichokes in a salad spinner or with paper towels. Sauté them in batches until they are golden brown on both sides, seasoning them with salt and pepper as you put them in the pan and turning them once with a spatula.
• Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and parsley and serve at room temperature, garnished with lemon quarters.