Lemon Mint Braised Artichokes Recipes

LEMON BRAISED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Bring 1/2 cup each water and white wine, two 9-ounce packages frozen artichoke hearts, 3 wide strips lemon zest and 2 tablespoons each lemon juice and olive oil to a simmer in a large skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring halfway through, until the artichokes are tender, about 10 minutes. Uncover and add 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons each olive oil and chopped parsley and mint. Cook, stirring, until the garlic softens, 1 to 2 more minutes.

RICOTTA GNOCCHI WITH ARTICHOKE, LEMON AND MINT

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together 3/4 cup of the flour, the ricotta, salt and egg yolks. Dust a work surface with the remaining 1/4 cup flour. One cup at a time, roll the ricotta mixture into 1/2-inch-thick ropes. With a dough cutter or pasta knife, cut the ropes into 1/2-inch pieces. Transfer the gnocchi to a cookie sheet and freeze until ready to use.
• Heat the olive oil and butter in a saute pan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook until lightly browned. Add the artichoke hearts and saute for 1 minute. Add the lemon juice and mint and salt and pepper to taste. Remove the sauce from the heat and add half of the Parmigiano-Reggiano; stir to thicken the sauce.
• Boil the gnocchi in a large (6-quart) pot of salted water until they float to the top. Remove the gnocchi with a slotted spoon and add to the sauce. Garnish with the remaining Parmigiano.

LEMON MINT BRAISED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Squeeze 2 lemon halves into a large bowl of cold water.
• Cut off top inch of 1 artichoke and bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base (keep stem attached). Discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until you reach pale yellow leaves.
• Cut off remaining leaves 1/2 inch above top of artichoke base using a sharp knife, then pull out purple leaves and scoop out fuzzy choke with a melon-ball cutter. Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and side of artichoke.
• Trim a thin slice from stem end, then trim side of stem down to pale green inner core. Rub cut surfaces with lemon halves, then put artichokes in lemon water.
• Trim remaining artichokes in same manner.
• Combine lemon juice, water (3 cups), oil, 3 tablespoons mint, garlic, and 1 teaspoon salt in a 4-to 5-quarts heavy pot (wide enough to hold artichokes in 1 layer with stems pointing upward) and bring to a simmer.
• Stand artichokes, stem ends up, in liquid and cover with a round of parchment paper. Simmer, covered with parchment and lid, until just tender when artichoke bottom is pierced with a knife, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Transfer artichokes with a slotted spoon to a shallow serving dish. Boil cooking liquid until reduced to about 1/2 cup, about 20 minutes. During last 2 minutes of boiling, whisk liquid until it emulsifies. Pour over artichokes and sprinkle with remaining 2 tablespoons mint.
• What to drink:
• Yarden Galilee Cabernet Sauvignon '05