Ricotta And Walnut Stuffed Artichokes Recipes

BRAISED ARTICHOKES WITH RICOTTA AND SPINACH STUFFING

Steps:

• Wash artichokes under cold water. Using a stainless steel knife, trim the outer part of the stems. Pull off the lower petals that are small and tough. Cut off the top inch of the artichoke then cut in half, top to bottom. Rub with half a lemon to preserve the green color. Put the oil, broth, garlic, lemon and herbs in a casserole pan. Place the artichoke halves in the liquid face down. Season with salt and pepper. Cover and bake in a preheated 350 degree F oven for 30 minutes until tender.
• In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, sun-dried tomatoes, 3 cloves of sliced garlic and spinach. Stir in the egg and about 6 ounces of cheese; season with salt and pepper. In a separate bowl, combine bread crumbs, oil, remaining slices of garlic, remaining cheese and parsley; season with salt and pepper. Remove the artichokes from the pan and carefully scoop out the chokes. Fill the cavity of artichoke with the cheese mixture and place on a baking pan. Sprinkle the tops with the bread crumb mixture. Broil for 5 minutes until the cheese is warm and the crumbs are browned. Serve with lemon wedges.

RICOTTA- AND WALNUT-STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill large bowl with cold water; add lemon juice. Cut off stem and top 2 inches from 1 artichoke. Using scissors, cut off pointy ends of outer artichoke leaves. Using melon baller, scoop out fuzzy choke from center of artichoke, forming opening. Place artichoke in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add artichokes and cook until artichoke hearts are tender when pierced with metal skewer, about 15 minutes. Drain. Cool to room temperature.
• Coarsely chop walnuts in processor. Transfer 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts to small bowl and reserve. Add ricotta cheese, 1/4 cup olive oil, garlic, salt, white pepper, and nutmeg to walnuts in processor; process until well blended. Transfer ricotta mixture to bowl. Stir in parsley. Season to taste with additional salt and white pepper. Using teaspoon and fingertips as aids, spoon ricotta mixture into center of each artichoke, then spoon some mixture between artichoke leaves. Pour remaining 1/4 cup olive oil into 13x9x2-inch glass or ceramic baking dish. Arrange stuffed artichokes in dish. (Can be prepared 6 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Pour 3/4 cup water and wine into bottom of dish with artichokes. Cover dish with foil and bake until artichokes are very tender and stuffing is slightly firm, about 40 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle reserved 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts over artichokes. Bake uncovered 10 minutes longer. Let stand 10 minutes and serve.