Super Tuscan Panino With Soppressata And Marinated Artichokes Recipes

MARINATED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with cold water and squeeze 3 of the lemons into it (this is known as acidulated water). Keep it off the heat for now. The cut artichoke hearts have to head straight into the lemon water to keep them from browning.
• Trim the artichokes: Lay an artichoke on its side and trim the brown woody tip of the stem. Using a very sharp or serrated knife, cut the top one-third of the thorny artichoke leaves off, leaving a flattened top. Use your hands to tear off the toughest outermost leaves from around the bottom of the artichoke, leaving most of the leaves untouched. Lay the artichoke on the board again and this time cut it in half lengthwise, from stem to top. Using a paring knife or a peeler, carefully peel off the outermost layer of the stem. Use a spoon to scrape away the inedible furry choke in the center of the artichoke. Voila-you have an artichoke heart! Quick, put it in the acidulated water. Repeat to trim the rest of the artichokes.
• Poach the artichokes: Add more water to the pot if needed to cover the artichokes. Season the water with 3 tablespoons salt. Place the pot over medium-low heat and bring the water to a simmer. Poach the artichokes for about 15 minutes, or until they're easily pierced with the tip of a knife. Drain the artichokes. Transfer them to a large bowl and set aside.
• Marinate the artichokes: In a large saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-low heat. Add the garlic halves cut-side down and sear them until lightly golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add the thyme and tarragon. Squeeze the remaining 3 lemons into the pan and throw in the squeezed lemon halves as well. Add the wine and simmer on high heat until it has reduced by half, about 5 minutes. Add the remaining 4 cups olive oil and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bring the marinade to a boil, then turn off the heat.
• Carefully pour the hot marinade over the artichokes and stir to combine. Transfer the artichokes and marinade to mason jars with lids or airtight containers and refrigerate. Marinate for at least 1 hour, but ideally overnight, before serving. Store them in the refrigerator for up to 10 days.

SOPPRESSATA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Split open and quarter 1 baguette. Layer thick slices of sharp provolone and thinly sliced soppressata on the bread. Add some baby arugula and drizzle with sweet Italian vinaigrette.

TUNA AND ARTICHOKE PANINI

Steps:

• Blend olives, capers, garlic, zest, and 3 tablespoons artichoke marinade in a blender, scraping down sides frequently, until as smooth as possible, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl and stir in mayonnaise. Stir together artichokes and tuna in another bowl.
• Split each roll horizontally and remove inner crumb from top half. Spread olive mayonnaise on cut sides of rolls and make sandwiches with tuna and artichokes, seasoning filling with pepper and topping with parsley.

PANINI WITH ARTICHOKE HEARTS, SPINACH AND RED PEPPERS

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of generously salted water to a boil. Fill a bowl with ice water. Add the spinach to the boiling water and blanch for 10 to 20 seconds. Transfer to the ice water to cool for a few minutes, then drain and squeeze out excess water. Chop coarsely.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, and add the garlic. Cook, stirring, until the garlic is fragrant, about 30 seconds, and stir in the artichoke hearts. Stir for a few minutes, until the artichoke hearts are beginning to color, and add the thyme leaves and the spinach. Toss together and season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove from the heat.
• Preheat a panini grill. Top four of the bread slices with the artichoke hearts and spinach. Add strips of roasted pepper, then cheese. Top with the remaining bread and press together. Brush the outside of the bread (top and bottom slices) with olive oil. Place in the panini maker and grill for four to five minutes, until the cheese has melted and the bread is toasty. Slice in half and serve hot.

GRILLED MARINATED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cut the tops off the artichokes and trim the leaves so that they will fit into a large covered pot. Fill a large pot with water so that the water comes midway up the artichokes. Add the olive oil, garlic salt and chipotle powder and bring to a boil over medium heat. Cook the artichokes in the boiling water, covered for approximately 30 minutes, starting with the base up, then turning once. The artichokes are done when a knife inserts easily into the base, and the leaves pull away with only a little resistance.
• Add the marinade ingredients to a small bowl and stir to combine.
• Heat grill to medium-high.
• Remove the artichokes from the pot to a cutting board and let cool. Pour the marinade over the cut top of the artichokes and work the garlic gently into the leaves. You can cut and grill them immediately or leave them in the refrigerator overnight. When you are ready to grill, slice the artichokes lengthwise down the center and remove the choke. Put on a hot grill, and cook until they have good coloration on all sides. Transfer to a serving platter and serve with Chipotle Mayonnaise Dipping Sauce.
• Combine all ingredients in a small bowl. The chipotle can be adjusted according to taste.