Grilled Marinated Artichokes Recipes

EASY MARINATED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with cold water; juice 2 lemons into water. Set aside. Trim spiky tops, tough stems, and outer leaves from artichokes; halve lengthwise. Scrape any pink choke out from the center, leaving artichoke half intact. Transfer cut artichokes to acidulated water immediately.
• Drain artichokes. Fill a large saucepan with water. Add artichokes, garlic halves, peppercorns, 1 1/2 tablespoons salt, 2 tablespoons olive oil, and thyme to saucepan. Set over high heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, using a few layers of cheesecloth or a plate to keep artichokes submerged, until tender when pierced with a sharp knife, about 5 minutes.
• Remove from heat, and drain. Reserve artichoke halves, some of the garlic, and a few sprigs of thyme. Place in a bowl, and drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and pinch of pepper.

FIRE-GRILLED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• For the Calabrian pepper aioli: In a food processor, combine and puree the lemon juice, Dijon mustard and peppers. Fold the mayonnaise into the puree and mix well. Reserve.
• For the artichokes: Cut the artichokes in half lengthwise, splitting the stem. Remove the two bottom layers of leaves and, with a potato peeler, peel the stem until the outer fibers are removed. With a small spoon, dig out the inner fibers at the center of the artichoke.
• Submerge the artichokes in a bowl of cold water and add the lemon juice to prevent browning.
• Bring 1 gallon water to a boil and add 1/4 cup of the salt, stirring until dissolved. Add the artichoke halves to the boiling water and cook until a fork inserts easily into the stem, 10 to 15 minutes, depending upon the size of the artichoke. Remove from the boiling water and place in ice cold water to chill.
• Heat a char broiler or wood-fired grill. Brush the cut side of the artichokes with the oil, season with the remaining 2 teaspoons salt and the pepper. Place cut-side down on the grill and cook until heated through.
• Serve with the Calabrian pepper aioli.

GRILLED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat.
• Break off the artichokes' small outside leaves. Cut off the top with a knife and trim the sharp points of the leaves with scissors, rubbing with cut lemon as you go to avoid discoloration. Squeeze the lemon halves into a bowl of cold water, soak the artichokes for 10 minutes, then wash with cold water to remove sand.
• Place artichokes in a large steamer insert over simmering water and steam until heart is tender, about 25 to 35 minutes depending upon size. Allow to cool. Cut in half lengthwise and remove choke with a spoon.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Stir in the white wine and lemon juice, keep warm.
• Grill the artichokes, basting with the butter mixture, until until golden on the surface and heated through, about 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with the Spicy Smoked Tomato Mayonnaise.
• Special equipment: smoker/dehydrator
• Chef's Note: If you do not have access to a smoker/dehydrator, you can substitute 4 sun-dried tomatoes and 2 teaspoons ancho or pasilla powder for the tomatoes and pasillas, eliminating the tomatoes and pasilla peppers from the recipe.
• Dry the tomatoes and pasilla peppers in an oak smoker/dehydrator overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill, preferably wood fired with oak wood, for indirect heat cooking.
• Wrap garlic and onions loosely in 2 separate foil packets and roast/grill over indirect heat until they are soft, being careful not to burn them. The garlic should take about 1 to 1 1/2 hours; the onions should take about 30 to 45 minutes.
• In a food processor, puree the smoked pasilla peppers and tomatoes with the garlic and onions. Add the cayenne, chili powder, paprika and salt. Mix in the mayonnaise. Leftover mayonnaise will keep, refrigerated, for up to 3 or 4 days.
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 to 1 1/2 hours
• Inactive Prep Time: 8 hours

MARINATED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with cold water and squeeze 3 of the lemons into it (this is known as acidulated water). Keep it off the heat for now. The cut artichoke hearts have to head straight into the lemon water to keep them from browning.
• Trim the artichokes: Lay an artichoke on its side and trim the brown woody tip of the stem. Using a very sharp or serrated knife, cut the top one-third of the thorny artichoke leaves off, leaving a flattened top. Use your hands to tear off the toughest outermost leaves from around the bottom of the artichoke, leaving most of the leaves untouched. Lay the artichoke on the board again and this time cut it in half lengthwise, from stem to top. Using a paring knife or a peeler, carefully peel off the outermost layer of the stem. Use a spoon to scrape away the inedible furry choke in the center of the artichoke. Voila-you have an artichoke heart! Quick, put it in the acidulated water. Repeat to trim the rest of the artichokes.
• Poach the artichokes: Add more water to the pot if needed to cover the artichokes. Season the water with 3 tablespoons salt. Place the pot over medium-low heat and bring the water to a simmer. Poach the artichokes for about 15 minutes, or until they're easily pierced with the tip of a knife. Drain the artichokes. Transfer them to a large bowl and set aside.
• Marinate the artichokes: In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic halves cut-side down and sear them until lightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the thyme and tarragon. Squeeze the remaining 3 lemons into the pan and throw in the squeezed lemon halves as well. Add the wine and simmer on high heat until it has reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining 4 cups olive oil and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring the marinade to a boil, then turn off the heat.
• Carefully pour the hot marinade over the artichokes and stir to combine. Transfer the artichokes and marinade to mason jars with lids or airtight containers and refrigerate. Marinate for at least 1 hour, but ideally overnight, before serving. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.