Stuffed Artichokes With Capers And Pecorino Cheese Recipes

STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Mix 3 cups breadcrumbs, 3 grated garlic cloves, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1 cup each grated parmesan, pecorino, chopped parsley and olive oil in a bowl. Trim 4 large artichokes (see Cook's Note), removing the stems. Separate the leaves; stuff the crumb mixture between each. Stand upright in a steamer basket over simmering water, cover and steam over medium-low heat, adding more water as needed, until tender, about 1 hour, 20 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil and some of the cooking liquid.

THE BEST STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cut top 1/4 of an artichoke off and discard. Trim off the top 1/2 inch from remaining leaves. Cut off bottom inch from stalk to create a flat bottom. Turn artichoke upside down and bang on surface to loosen the leaves. Zest 3/4 teaspoon of lemon zest from the lemon and set aside. Cut lemon in half and rub cut leaves and stem of artichoke with lemon. Repeat artichoke prep with remaining artichokes.
• Combine reserved lemon zest with bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and stir well.
• Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly into all the artichoke leaves, avoiding the thistle leaves in the direct center. Work mixture evenly into each crevice of each artichoke until all of the mixture is used.
• Pour water in the bottom of a Dutch oven. Add remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Set artichokes in the pot so that they are touching, so that they may remain upright during cooking. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until the leaves release very easily, about 1 hour.
• Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with more parsley if desired. Serve warm or room temperature.

ITALIAN STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Trim the stem of an artichoke so the base is flat and even. Trim the top inch off the artichoke and remove and discard any tough, woody outer leaves. Gently open up the leaves to get to the center. Using a spoon, scoop out the fuzzy choke in the center. Using scissors, trim off the sharp points of the large outer leaves. Rub and pour lemon juice all over the inside and outside (reserve half of the juice). Repeat with remaining artichokes.
• Mix together pulverized crackers, Pecorino, olive oil, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic, lemon zest and salt and pepper.
• Pack each artichoke with the stuffing mixture, starting with the interior and working your way around between the outer leaves. Continue this process with the remaining artichokes. Place artichokes in an 8-inch square baking dish and add about 1 inch of chicken stock and the reserved lemon juice to the bottom of the dish. Cover tightly with foil.
• Bake until leaves pull out easily and the meat at the bottom of the leaves is tender, 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. Preheat the broiler. Take off foil, drizzle the artichokes with olive oil and broil until tops are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Serve!

STUFFED ARTICHOKES WITH CAPERS AND CORNICHONS

Steps:

• Roasted-Garlic Butter: Mash together butter, garlic confit, and lemon zest. Season with salt. Refrigerate in an airtight container up to 2 weeks, or freeze up to 3 months. (Makes 1/2 cup.)
• Stuffed Artichokes: Halve lemon and squeeze 1 tablespoon juice. Cut second half into wedges. Snap tough outer leaves off artichokes; using a serrated knife, remove top third from each. Trim stems so artichokes stand upright. Rub cut surfaces with juiced lemon half to prevent discoloration.
• Set a steamer basket in a large pot. Add enough water to reach just below basket and bring to a boil. Place artichokes in basket, stem-sides up. Cover and steam, adding more water if necessary, until hearts are tender when pierced with the tip of a knife, 25 to 30 minutes. Remove and let cool slightly, about 10 minutes.
• Heat garlic with oil in a small pan over medium until fragrant, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat. Add capers, cornichons, and reserved lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Melt 2 tablespoons garlic butter in small skillet over medium-high heat (reserve remaining garlic butter for another use). Add breadcrumbs and cook, stirring, until golden, about 6 minutes.
• Carefully peel back leaves of each artichoke, exposing fuzzy chokes; scoop them out with a spoon. Spoon 1 tablespoon caper mixture into each hollow and sprinkle more between leaves. Divide crumbs among hollows and serve, with remaining sauce and lemon wedges.

STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Zest one lemon; set zest aside. Cut the lemon in half, and squeeze juice into a large bowl of water, add lemon rinds. Trim artichokes; working with one at a time, snap off tough outer bottom leaves. Cut off upper third of artichoke. Snip remaining leaf tips with scissors. Trim long stem, leaving a flat bottom. Peel stem and place in acidulated water. Gently spread artichoke leaves away from center, revealing choke. Remove choke with a spoon and discard. Place artichoke in acidulated water. Repeat with remaining artichokes.
• In a medium bowl, combine breadcrumbs, Parmigiano and Pecorino cheeses, 4 tablespoons oil, parsley, oregano, and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper. Remove artichoke stems from water, and drain well. Chop finely, and stir into breadcrumb mixture.
• Remove artichokes from water, and drain well. Fill each artichoke with 1/4 of breadcrumb mixture; spread leaves to allow stuffing to sit inside, and mound stuffing on top. Place 1/2 cup water in bottom of a 9-by-9-inch baking dish. Fit artichokes into baking dish. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Cover with aluminum foil. Bake until heart is soft when pierced with the tip of a knife, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove foil; bake until breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 10 minutes more. Cut remaining lemon into wedges, and serve on the side.

STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Snip the pointed tips of artichoke leaves, and cut off the stems. Wash and drain. Holding artichoke firmly by base, firmly rap the top of it on a hard surface; this will open it so it can be stuffed.
• In a medium bowl combine bread cubes, garlic, parsley, Romano cheese, oregano, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, salt and pepper; mix well.
• Press about 1/2 cup of stuffing into each artichoke. Tightly pack stuffed artichokes together in a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven. Add enough water to reach half way up artichokes and add 3 tablespoons oil.
• Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, or until leaves pull out easily.