Asiago Artichoke Poppers Recipes

SPINACH ARTICHOKE ASIAGO DIP

Steps:

• shred or chop blanched or frozen spinach in a blender or food processor.
• chop artichoke hearts into quarters if they are larger than a thumb.
• mix everything together in a medium sized bowl.
• add salt, pepper to your taste.
• add more shredded cheese to your taste.
• best made a day ahead of time to let flavors meld together.

CREAMY ASIAGO AND ARTICHOKE SOUP

Steps:

• Heat olive oil and butter in a Dutch oven or pot over medium heat.
• Add the shallots and garlic; saute for about 5 minutes. Add the flour and stir to coat.
• Add the chicken stock, white wine, potatoes, artichokes, thyme, oregano, and cayenne pepper. Salt to taste.
• Increase heat to bring to a simmer, then lower heat and continue to simmer, uncovered, until vegetables soften, about 20 minutes.
• Purée the soup (An immersion blender works well here!).
• If desired, you can freeze the soup at this point.
• When ready to serve, heat the soup and whisk in the cream and asiago cheese.
• Simmer until cheese is melted and soup just begins to bubble.

ASIAGO ARTICHOKE DIP

Steps:

• Mash up the artichoke hearts in a bowl along with the minced garlic.
• Add the other ingredients.
• Mix it all together and refrigerate until using.
• All the proportions can be tweaked according to personal preference. You can also serve this recipe hot! The cheese gets all melty and yummy!

CREAMY ARTICHOKE AND ASIAGO PASTA

Steps:

• Cook rotini according to package directions. Keep hot.
• Drain and chop artichoke hearts.
• In a large skillet, sauté onion and garlic gently in the olive oil until onion starts to soften.
• Add artichokes. Heat gently, stirring often.
• Add basil and white wine.
• Shake the milk and flour together. Add to pan. Heat, stirring constantly, until simmering and thickened.
• Stir in Asiago and parsley. Taste and adjust seasonings.
• Toss pasta in sauce until well-coated. Serve sprinkled with cayenne pepper flakes and additional parsley.

ARTICHOKE POPPERS W/AIOLI & BALSAMIC REDUCTION

Steps:

• 1. HERBED GOAT CHEESE: In a small bowl, mix together oregano, thyme, basil, marjoram, minced onion and garlic, thoroughly. In another small bowl, cream goat's milk cheese. Add spice mix and mix well. Cover bowl and refrigerate for at least 4 hours.
• 2. GARLIC AIOLI RECIPE: In a small bowl, mayo, garlic, lemon juice, salt and black pepper. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use
• 3. BALSAMIC REDUCTION: While poppers are frying, melt 1 tbsp of butter in a small sauce pan, and saute minced garlic on medium heat, until lightly brown. Pour in vinegar and turn heat up to med-high, bring to a slight boil, then reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer until liquid has reduced by half. Remove and slightly cool.
• 4. ARTICHOKE POPPERS: Take cans of artichokes hearts, drain, lightly rinse and let dry slightly. In the palm of your hand, gently open up the center of the artichoke heart to make a cavity for a filling using your finger. Fill cavity with Goat Cheese mixture, until full. Press sides of artichoke around the cheese to secure cheese in place. Wipe off any excess cheese that over flows the artichoke. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Preheat fryer. DREDGING: Place scrambled eggs, bread flour & Panko into 3 separate bowls. Dip filled artichokes into egg, then lightly dust in bread flour, then dip back into egg and then roll in Panko bread crumbs evenly. Repeat process to the rest of the artichokes. In a preheated fryer, place artichokes poppers into fryer, and fry until lightly golden brown. About 3-6 minutes. Depending on size of poppers. Repeat until all is cooked.
• 5. PLATING: Serve artichoke poppers over a plated garlic aioli sauce with drizzled balsamic vinegar reduction. And enjoy!

ASAGIO SPINACH AND ARTICHOKE DIP FOR GAME DAY

Steps:

• 1. Mix first five ingredients together in a medium bowl.
• 2. Add remaining ingredients and mix all together well.
• 3. Season with salt and pepper and garlic powder. Add a pinch of cayenne pepper if you like a bit of heat. (I like to make this the day before the party and refrigerate so the flavors have time to combine) FOR a hot version: Pour into a 9 x 9 baking dish and bake in preheated 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes. Serve warm
• 4. Serve with crackers, tortilla chips, pita chips and/or in a bread bowl

ASIAGO-ARTICHOKE POPPERS

Steps:

• In medium bowl, mix 2/3 cup Asiago cheese, the goat cheese, cream cheese, lemon peel, salt and pepper. Roll each artichoke piece in mixture until coated. Place on cookie sheet. Refrigerate 1 hour.
• In 3 separate small bowls, place flour, eggs and bread crumbs. Dip each cheese-coated artichoke piece in flour and then in egg; roll in bread crumbs until coated. Return to cookie sheet.
• In heavy saucepan or large skillet, heat oil to 350°F. Fry poppers, a few at a time, in hot oil until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels. Keep warm in a 250°F oven until serving time. Sprinkle poppers with additional Asiago cheese. Garnish with lemon.