Deep Fried Baby Artichokes Stuffed With Pepper Jack Cheese Recipes

FRIED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Remove and discard the artichoke stems. Peel off lower leaves (approximately 18.) Slice off the top half so that only the light green remains (artichokes should be approximately 1 1/4 inches), then cut the artichoke in half lengthwise.
• Place the artichokes in a medium pot, flat side down, and add olive oil to just cover. Add the garlic, thyme, salt and pepper. Bring the olive oil to a boil, cover the pot and reduce the heat to a low flame and simmer for 15 minutes. Insert a knife into the lower half and if easily penetrated, it's done.
• Remove the thyme and garlic from the pot, raise the heat and fry uncovered for approximately 2 minutes, turning over the artichokes midway. They are done when brown and crispy. Remove the artichokes from the pot and place them on paper towels flat side down. Sprinkle with salt and serve.

DEEP FRIED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl halfway with water. Squeeze the lemon halves into the water and add the lemons. Trim the stem of 1 artichoke. Starting at the base, bend the tough outer leaves back and pull off where they break naturally. Using a vegetable peeler, peel the dark green skin from the base. Halve the artichoke lengthwise and scoop out any choke. Add to the lemon water. Repeat with the remaining artichokes.
• Heat the oil in a heavy large saucepan over medium heat until a thermometer registers 350 degrees F. Drain the artichokes and pat dry. Working in 2 batches, add the artichokes to the hot oil and cook until they are tender and golden brown, about 8 to 10 minutes. Using a slotted spoon or tongs, transfer the fried artichokes to a paper towel-lined plate to drain. Sprinkle with salt while artichokes are still warm and serve.

ITALIAN BABY STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Take baby artichokes and trim off top and bottoms. Snip sharp parts off artichoke with scissor. Make sure artichoke has a flat top after trimming is done. When all trimmed, transfer artichokes to pot of water with lemon juice, cover and boil for about 30-40 minutes. When fork tender, drain artichokes and cool. In the meantime, while artichokes are cooling, prepare stuffing. Add bread crumbs, both grated cheeses and minced garlic with 1/2 cup of olive oil and mix together. When cool, transfer artichokes to corning ware baking dish and stuff with mixtures. Add last 1/2 cup of olive oil to top of artichokes, add two cups of water to top of artichokes and bottom of dish, cover with aluminum foil and cook in oven on 325 degrees for 45 minutes. Take aluminum off and cook or broil on LOW on lower part of oven for 10-15 minutes to crisp up.

DEEP-FRIED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Stem artichokes even with their bases and remove and discard any hard outer leaves. In a large saucepan of boiling salted water blanch the artichokes for 6 minutes, or until just tender. Drain the artichokes and refresh under cold water. gently spread the leaves of the artichokes outward. Flatten with the side of a knife, being careful not to crack them, and pat dry. Dredge in flour and coat with eggs, letting excess drip off. Coat with bread crumbs. In deep fryer or heavy saucepan heat oil to 375 F. and fry artichokes, a few at a time, for 3 minutes, or until golden. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

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.

PAN-FRIED BABY ARTICHOKES WITH GREMOLATA

Steps:

• Remove dark tough exterior leaves from artichokes. Trim stem end and cut off top of each artichoke, then cut in half lengthwise. Put artichoke halves in a bowl and cover with buttermilk. Leave to soak for 5 to 10 minutes.
• Mix together flour, cayenne, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Drain artichokes, dip in seasoned flour to coat and put on a plate in one layer.
• Pour 1/2 inch oil in a wide skillet and place over medium-high heat. When oil is wavy, carefully slip in artichokes one at a time, taking care not to crowd the pan. (Fry in batches if necessary.) Let fry gently until one side is well browned, about 2 minutes, then turn over and brown other side. Drain on paper towels. Sprinkle with salt.
• Make the gremolata: Combine parsley, garlic, lemon zest, orange zest and capers. Put fried artichokes on a platter and sprinkle generously with the mixture. Serve immediately, with lemon wedges.

STUFFED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Grate 1/2 teaspoon lemon zest and set aside. Quarter the lemon and squeeze the juice into a medium bowl of water; add the squeezed lemon quarters. One at a time, cut off the top one-quarter of each artichoke; pull off the tough outer leaves (there will be several layers). Using a paring knife, trim the stem and lightly peel around the bottom of the base where it meets the stem. Halve the artichokes lengthwise and add to the lemon water.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain the artichokes, pat dry and place cut-side down in the skillet; add the lemon quarters. Add the 2 smashed garlic cloves and a generous pinch of salt. Cook until the artichokes soften slightly, about 3 minutes. Add the wine and bring to a simmer, then add 1 cup water. Cover, reduce the heat to medium low and cook until the artichokes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Uncover and remove from the heat.
• Meanwhile, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Add the reserved lemon zest and the grated garlic and cook, stirring constantly, about 20 seconds. Add the breadcrumbs and 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook, stirring, until golden brown, about 7 minutes. Stir in the parsley.
• Transfer the artichokes cut-side up to a platter and season lightly with salt. Top with the breadcrumb mixture and drizzle lightly with olive oil. Serve warm or at room temperature.

DEEP-FRIED BABY ARTICHOKES STUFFED WITH PEPPER JACK CHEESE

Steps:

• Trim and cook artichokes:
• Squeeze juice from 1 lemon half into a large bowl of water, then drop same half into water.
• Cut off artichoke stems and discard. Cut off top 1/2 inch of 1 artichoke with a serrated knife. Bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base, then discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until you reach pale yellow leaves with pale green tips. Cut off green tips.
• Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and sides of artichoke with a sharp paring knife, then rub cut surfaces with other lemon half. Drop artichoke into acidulated water.
• Trim remaining artichokes in same manner.
• Put 2 quarts water in a 4-quart pot and whisk in flour. Whisk in oil, salt, and remaining tablespoon lemon juice and bring to a simmer.
• Add trimmed artichokes and simmer, partially covered, until just tender when pierced with a knife, 8 to 12 minutes. Drain in a colander, then invert onto paper towels to drain thoroughly. Pat dry.
• When artichokes are cool enough to handle, pull out all pointed inner leaves and scoop out fuzzy choke with melon-ball cutter.
• Stuff and fry artichokes:
• Heat 2 inches oil in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderate heat until thermometer registers 350°F.
• While oil is heating, stuff each artichoke with 2 packed teaspoons cheese, pressing leaves around cheese.
• Put eggs and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls and divide salt and pepper between them, stirring them in. Dip each artichoke in egg, turning to coat and letting excess drip off, then in crumbs, turning to coat. Transfer to a tray.
• Fry artichokes in 2 batches (returning oil to 350°F between batches) until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer artichokes as fried to paper towels to drain, then cut in half.