Steamed Artichokes With Poached Eggs And Smoked Salmon Recipes

SIMPLE STEAMED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cut stem from artichokes and discard, making sure the bottom of each artichoke is flat. Cut top 1 inch (or so) of the artichoke and discard. Snip the thorny ends from each artichoke leaf with a pair of kitchen scissors.
• Fill the bottom of a pot with a couple of inches of water, adding garlic, lemon juice, and bay leaf to the water. Place a steamer basket in the pot, making sure that the water does not flow over the bottom of the steamer basket.
• Place the artichokes in the basket, resting on the flattened bottoms.
• Bring water to a boil, cover the pot, and cook until the leaves can be easily pulled from the artichoke, 20 to 30 minutes.

SMOKED AND STEAMED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Prepare a grill for indirect heat. If using a charcoal grill, build the hot coals on one side only. If using a gas grill, heat one side only to medium-high heat.
• For the court bouillon: Combine the garlic, dill, 4 cups of water and wine in a large stock pot. Squeeze the lemon juice into the pot, then add the lemon half. Season with salt and pepper. Bring to a gentle boil over direct heat.
• For the artichokes: Cut off the top inch and most of the stem close to the base. Trim the tip of each outer leaf with kitchen shears. Trim the bottoms of the artichokes and prick with a fork or paring knife. Place over indirect heat to take on some smoke while the poaching liquid comes to a boil, about 5 minutes.
• Place the artichokes in the liquid, bottoms up. Cover and simmer until a knife inserted into the bottom of the artichoke gives no resistance, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, make the vinaigrette: Whisk all the ingredients together in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Serve the artichokes with the vinaigrette on the side for dipping.
• (Alternatively, you can poach the artichokes over medium-high heat on a stovetop.)

STEAMED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Set a steamer basket over rapidly simmering water with 1/2 lemon, a few parsley stems and 2 smashed garlic cloves in the water. Trim 4 large artichokes, removing the stems. Stand upright in the basket. Cover and steam over medium heat, adding more water as needed, until tender, about 45 minutes. Serve with melted butter for dipping.

SMOKED SALMON SANDWICH WITH POACHED EGG

Steps:

• Fill a large saucepan with water, 1 1/2 inches below the rim. Put the pan on the stove over high heat until it reaches about 190 degrees F (88 degrees C) or until you start to see bubbles at the bottom of the pan. Pour white vinegar and salt into the water and stir to distribute. Reduce heat to medium-low.
• Crack egg into a custard cup. Carefully place the custard cup into the water and slowly tilt until egg is fully submerged, being careful egg does not fall into the water. Set a timer for 6 minutes and keep an eye on the egg as it cooks.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat. Pour balsamic vinegar onto a flat plate and lay 1 piece of bread in the vinegar until coated. Repeat to coat the remaining piece. Place both pieces, vinegar-side down, in the hot skillet and cook until slightly charred, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from the heat.
• Remove 1 piece bread to a plate, vinegar-side up. Top with garlic powder, pepper, and salmon. Carefully remove poached egg with a slotted spoon and place on top of smoked salmon. Top with remaining piece of bread, vinegar-side down.

HOW TO COOK ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• With a pair of kitchen scissors, snip off the tips of the artichoke leaves. They're pokey, and that's no fun.
• With a super-sharp, heavy-duty knife, lop off the top of the artichoke - about 3/4 of an inch worth.
• With the same knife, cut off the stem at the base of the artichoke so that it will sit flat.
• Remove the bottom row of leaves.
• Rinse well under cold water.
• Fill a large pot with about two inches of water and set in the artichokes, bottom side down. Optional but tasty: add a bay leaf, a slice of lemon, and/or a garlic clove. Set on the stove and bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce the temperature on the water to medium, reducing it to a simmer. Cover.
• Steam the artichokes for about 30 minutes, until tender. You can check for doneness by inserting the tip of a knife into the bottom (if it goes in with only a little resistance they're done) or by pulling off a tester leave (it should come off easily).
• Remove from water, allow to cool a bit, and serve with whatever dip you like (here are a few ideas!)

STEAMED ARTICHOKES WITH POACHED EGGS AND SMOKED SALMON

Steps:

• Cut off stems of artichokes flush with bottoms; discard. Using kitchen scissors, trim outer 3 layers of leaves to 2 inches.
• Fill a large stockpot with 2 inches of water. Set a steamer basket over water. Stand artichokes upright in basket; cover pot. Bring to a boil. Steam until bottoms of artichokes are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Remove artichokes from pot; let stand until cool enough to handle. Remove and discard inner leaves, leaving trimmed outer leaves to create a flowerlike shape. Using a teaspoon, remove fuzzy choke and any purple leaves; discard. Gently spread apart artichoke leaves to create desired appearance. Season with salt and pepper. Cover to keep warm.
• Fill a large saucepan with 4 inches of water; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium. When water is barely simmering, break 1 egg into a small heatproof bowl. Gently tip bowl to slide egg carefully into water in pan. Repeat with remaining eggs. Cook until whites are set but yolks are still soft, 2 to 3 minutes. Lift out eggs with a slotted spoon; briefly rest spoon on paper towels to drain eggs.
• Immediately spoon 1 egg inside each artichoke (be careful not to pierce yolk). Spoon about 1 tablespoon hollandaise sauce over top of each egg. Drape 1 slice salmon on top. Serve with hollandaise.

EGGS BENEDICT WITH SMOKED SALMON & CHIVES

Steps:

• First make the hollandaise sauce. Put the lemon juice and vinegar in a small bowl, add the egg yolks and whisk with a balloon whisk until light and frothy. Place the bowl over a pan of simmering water and whisk until mixture thickens. Gradually add the butter, whisking constantly until thick - if it looks like it might be splitting, then whisk off the heat for a few mins. Season and keep warm.
• To poach the eggs, bring a large pan of water to the boil and add the vinegar. Lower the heat so that the water is simmering gently. Stir the water so you have a slight whirlpool, then slide in the eggs one by one. Cook each for about 4 mins, then remove with a slotted spoon.
• Lightly toast and butter the muffins, then put a couple of slices of salmon on each half. Top each with an egg, spoon over some hollandaise and garnish with chopped chives.

SMOKED SALMON WITH POACHED EGGS AND ASPARAGUS

Steps:

• Whisk the dressing ingredients together.
• Assemble this recipe on individual dinner plates. Put a piece of toast on each plate. Arrange the salmon and asparagus on each piece of toast. Top with the egg. Drizzle the dressing over the egg and asparagus. Garnish with dill.