Artichoke Stew With Pecorino Romano Recipes

NONNA'S ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cut the stems and tops off each artichoke. Remove the tough outer leaves. Snip the ends off the remaining leaves with scissors to remove thorns. Remove the tough exterior of the stems and cut them in half. Set aside.
• Combine bread crumbs, pecorino Romano cheese, mint, garlic, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and mix well.
• Wiggle an artichoke back and forth with your thumbs to open the leaves. Stuff the bread crumb mixture between multiple leaves and in the center. Repeat with the second artichoke.
• Place artichokes and stem pieces in a large pan that has a tight-fitting lid. Add wine and water to the pan, making sure not to wet the artichokes. Cover and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer and cook until you can easily pull an outer leaf off an artichoke, about 1 hour.

ARTICHOKE BEEF STEW

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the flour, salt and pepper. Add beef, a few pieces at a time, and shake to coat. In a large skillet, brown beef in oil in batches., Transfer to a 3- or 4-qt. slow cooker with a slotted spoon. Gradually add consomme to the pan, stirring to loosen browned bits. Stir in the onions, mushrooms, wine, garlic and dill. Pour over beef., Cover and cook for low for 7-8 hours or until tender. Stir in the artichokes; cook 30 minutes longer or until heated through. Serve with noodles.

BRAISED ARTICHOKES WITH PECORINO (CARCIOFI AL TEGAME)

Steps:

• Trim the artichokes, slice very thinly, and soak the slices in acidulated water.
• Pour the olive oil into the skillet, and set it over medium heat. Scatter the garlic and onion in the pan. Cook for 4 minutes or so, stirring and tossing occasionally; season with the salt and peperoncino.
• When the vegetables are sizzling and wilting, lift the artichoke slices from the acidulated water, drain briefly, and drop them into the skillet. Stir well, cover the pan tightly, and let everything cook slowly, giving the pan a shake now and then.
• After 10 minutes, the artichoke slices should be softening-if they're hard and the pan is dry, add a couple spoonfuls of acidulated water and continue cooking, covered. Braise for 15 to 20 minutes total, until the artichokes are tender and lightly colored. Cook uncovered for more caramelization if you like.
• Turn off the heat, and spread the artichokes out in the skillet bottom. Scatter the shredded cheese evenly on top, and cover the pan. Let it melt into the vegetables for several minutes before serving.

STEAMED GLOBE ARTICHOKES WITH PECORINO VINAIGRETTE AND FRIED GARLIC CHIPS

Steps:

• Fill a medium bowl with water. Juice 1 lemon into water, and add rind. Trim artichoke stems to 1/2 inch, and remove tough outer leaves. Trim pointy tips of artichoke leaves using kitchen shears. Spread leaves apart to remove inner chokes by scraping with a small spoon. Transfer artichokes to lemon water as you work to prevent discoloration.
• Fill a large pot with 2 inches water. Juice 1 lemon into water; bring to a simmer. Fit pot with a steamer-basket insert. Place artichokes upright in steamer. Simmer, covered, until artichokes are very tender when pierced with a paring knife, about 30 minutes.
• Combine olive oil and garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until garlic is pale gold. Strain garlic; reserve oil. Transfer garlic chips to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
• Add butter to saucepan, and melt over medium-low heat. Whisk in reserved oil, the cheese, and lemon zest and juice. Pour a pool of vinaigrette into center of each artichoke, and drizzle remainder over tops. Sprinkle with garlic chips, and season with pepper.

ARTICHOKES WITH ROMANO, CRACKED PEPPER AND OLIVE

Steps:

• Squeeze juice from lemon halves into large bowl of cold water; add squeezed lemons. Cut off stem and top 3/4 inch of 1 artichoke and discard. Using scissors, trim sharp tips from leaves. Place artichoke in lemon water until ready to cook. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Drain artichokes and cook in large pot of boiling salted water until base of each is tender when pierced with knife and leaves pull away easily, about 25 minutes. Drain artichokes well. (Can be prepared 8 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Steam artichokes 10 minutes to rewarm before continuing.)
• Mix extra-virgin olive oil, grated pecorino Romano cheese, 1 1/2 teaspoons black pepper and 3/4 teaspoon salt in small bowl to blend. Gently press artichoke leaves outward from center to open artichokes slightly. Pull out small purple-tipped leaves, then scoop out fibrous choke. Place 1 artichoke on each of 4 plates. Sprinkle artichoke cavities with salt and pepper. Drizzle 1 tablespoon cheese dressing over each artichoke. Divide remaining cheese dressing equally among 4 small ramekins; serve dressing with artichokes.