Stuffed Artichokes With Red Pepper Vinaigrette Recipes

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.

STUFFED ARTICHOKES WITH RED PEPPER VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cut off stems of artichokes with a stainless-steel knife and discard. Break off tough outer leaves and cut off top fourth of artichokes. Snip off tips of leaves with scissors and rub cut edges with lemon half.
• In a 4-quart microwave-safe glass bowl with a lid arrange artichokes, bottoms up, and add water. Microwave at high power (100%), covered, 10 minutes, or until bases are tender, and let stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• While artichokes are cooking, in a small heavy saucepan cook 1/4 cup of bell pepper, onion, and garlic in 1 tablespoon of oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until softened. In a bowl stir together vegetables, bread crumbs, scallion, cheese, thyme, cayenne, lemon juice, 1 tablespoon of remaining oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Pull out centers of artichokes, leaving bases intact, and scrape out chokes with a small spoon. Spread leaves of artichokes gently and stuff each artichoke with some of stuffing, filling centers and spaces between leaves.
• Arrange artichokes in a baking dish just large enough to hold them and add enough water to cover bottom of dish. Drizzle 1 tablespoon of remaining oil over artichokes and bake 12 minutes.
• In a small bowl whisk together vinegar, remaining tablespoon oil, remaining 2 tablespoons bell pepper, and salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve artichokes with vinaigrette spooned around them.