Grilled Artichokes Recipe With Lemon Dill Aioli

GRILLED ARTICHOKES RECIPE WITH LEMON DILL AIOLI

Steps:

• To steam the artichokes, start a large pot, filled about 2 inches full of salted water, to boil. Heat BBQ to medium heat
• Trim artichokes by cutting off the sharp tips off of the leaves, and trim the stem. Cut the artichokes in half stem to tip, and clean out the fuzzy artichoke center.
• Steam, covered, in lightly salted water for about 30 minutes, cut side down, in a steamer basket.
• Remove the fuzzy choke center with a spoon
• Mix olive oil, garlic, and pepper together in a small bowl. Remove artichokes from the pot and drain. Coat all over with olive oil mixture. Grill for about cut side down about 4 to 5 minutes or until lightly browned. Turn and cook an additional 3 to 5 minutes. Do not over cook. If the artichokes are done you will be able to easily pierce the stem.
• Combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, and dill in a small serving bowl and mix well. Add more to taste, if desired. Set aside until ready to serve.Can be made up to 3 days in advance and refrigerated.
• Remove artichokes from the grill and place on a plate or shallow serving dish, together with the lemon dill aioli and serve. Can be served hot or at room temperature. Cut in quarters for appetizers.

GRILLED ARTICHOKES WITH LEMON AIOLI DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small bowl whisk all of the aioli ingredients except herbs. Store in the fridge, covered for up to 24 hours. Sprinkle freshly-cut herbs on top right before serving.
• Fill a large (8-quarts or more) pot with water, 2/3 of the way up, and bring to a boil.
• Trim one artichoke at a time, making sure to rub all of the freshly cut parts with a halved lemon as you go, to prevent discoloration. First cut off the very tip of the stem. Next, carefully slice off or shave (with a vegetable peeler) the tough outer skin of the stem. Using your scissors and starting at the bottom of the artichoke, snip off the thorny tip of each leaf (about 1/2 inch) until you get to the top of the artichoke, where the leaves are too crowded to separate.
• Lay the artichoke on its side and slice it in half, starting from the stem. Don't forget to keep wiping the cut parts with lemon. Lay each half cut-side down and slice off 3/4 of an inch from the top, to remove the last bunch of thorny tips. Lemon, lemon.
• Carefully drop the artichoke halves into the boiling water. When it returns to a boil, cover the pot and cook the artichokes for 20 minutes. Don't worry if they aren't all completely submerged. Those parts will cook in the steam. Using tongs, gently transfer the artichoke halves, cut side down, to a bowl (letting the water drip off of them) and let them cool for 15-20 minutes. When they're cool enough to handle, use a teaspoon to carefully scoop out the chokes (the hairy part near the heart). They artichokes are now ready for grilling or you can refrigerate them, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 48 hours before grilling them.
• Heat the grill to medium-high. (If you chill the artichokes overnight, allow them to sit at room temperature for 1/2 hour before proceeding.) Brush artichokes generously on both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill artichokes for about 5 minutes per side, outside first, until the cut side has grill marks and is nicely browned in spots.
• Serve the artichokes warm or at room temperature. I like to set the artichoke halves out on a big platter and let everyone help themselves. Make sure each person has a small plate, a fork and knife to eat the heart, and a small bowl of aioli for dipping. I usually put out one or two large communal bowls for the discarded leaves.