To Trim Artichokes Into Bottoms Italian Style Recipes

STUFFED ARTICHOKE BOTTOMS

Steps:

• Cut a thin slice from bottoms of artichokes to level if necessary. Place in a greased 15x10x1-in. baking pan., In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese, garlic, chives and oregano. Spoon into artichokes; sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake at 350° for 22-26 minutes or until cheese is golden brown.

ITALIAN STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Soak artichokes in cold water for 30 minutes.
• To prepare the artichokes: Cut off stems of the artichokes with a sharp knife. Make sure the cut is straight so artichoke will stand flat.
• Slice off ¼ inch straight from the top of each artichoke (the prickly part).
• Stand the artichoke upside down and push firmly on the stem side to slightly open the leaves making room to catch the stuffing. Using scissors, cut the tip of each leaf straight across.
• Squeeze half of the lemon juice inside the artichoke.
• In a large bowl, mix together the bread crumbs, grated cheese, parsley, garlic, salt, and pepper. Fill each leaf with the stuffing until artichokes are well packed.
• Drizzle with olive oil then squeeze more lemon juice over the artichokes. Sprinkle with a little salt over the top and sides.
• Put artichokes standing up into a wide pot large enough to hold the artichokes. Add enough water to cover just to the top of the bottom row of leaves of the artichokes.
• Add 1 tablespoon of salt in the pot. Cover and let the water come to a boil. Lower the heat and let the artichokes simmer for 45 minutes or until leaves are tender. Serve warm.

ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill the pan with just enough water to cover bottom. Bring to a full boil over high heat. While water is heating, trim and discard the stems and tough outer leaves of artichokes. Tuck slivers of butter and slices of garlic into artichoke leaves.
• When water is boiling, place steamer insert in pot and set artichokes in steamer, stem-side down. Cover pot with lid and allow artichokes to steam for approximately 20 minutes, until tender.

ITALIAN STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• 1. Toast breadcrumbs. Add breadcrumbs to an unheated, nonstick pan. Turn heat to medium. Toast, stirring frequently when bread begins to color, for about 6-8 minutes or until lightly browned. Transfer to bowl to cool.
• 2. Clean artichokes. Cut off stems of artichokes. Trim bottoms of stems and peel off rough outer layer. Rub with a cut lemon. Peel off first and second bottom rows of artichoke leaves. Rub exposed area with a cut lemon. Trim top ½ inch of remaining leaves with a scissor. When you get close to center, use knife to cut off remaining tips straight across all at once.
• 3. Mix stuffing. Add cheese, garlic, parsley and lemon zest to bowl with cooled breadcrumbs, and stir to combine. Stir in 4 tablespoons of oil. Season with salt to taste.
• 4. Stuff artichokes. Using a small spoon, stuff each outer leaf of artichoke with filling. There is no need to stuff thin, inner leaves.
• 5. Steam artichokes. Add stuffed artichokes to a pot with high sides that they will fit into very snug. Season stems with salt and add to bottom of pot. Fill with 1 ½ inches of water. Season water with a few pinches of salt. Drizzle the top of the artichokes with remaining tablespoon of oil. Cover with lid and bring to a gentle boil. Reduce to a simmer and steam 50-60 minutes or until artichokes are tender and leaves pull off easily. Add additional water, as needed, to maintain 1 inch of water on the bottom of the pot.
• 6. Preheat oven and roast artichokes. After artichokes are cooking about 30 minutes, preheat oven to 450°F. When artichokes are cooked through, remove lid and place on center rack of oven. Roast for 8-12 minutes or until browned on top.
• 7. Serve. Transfer artichokes and stems to serving plates. Serve with lemon wedges if desired. Enjoy.

TO TRIM ARTICHOKES INTO BOTTOMS, ITALIAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Halve lemon. Into a bowl of cold water squeeze juice from 1 lemon half and drop squeezed half into water. Do not cut off stems of artichokes. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base and discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until exposed leaves are pale green at top and pale yellow at base.
• With a sharp stainless-steel knife cut off remaining leaves, discarding them (you should have just heart and stem of artichoke). Trim dark green fibrous parts from base of artichoke, being careful not to break off stem. Cut a thin slice from end of stem to expose a fresh cross section. Trim outer green fibrous part from stem, leaving pale core intact. Halve artichoke hearts lengthwise and with a melon-ball cutter or grapefruit spoon scrape out choke and spiky purple-tipped leaves. Rub artichoke all over with cut side of remaining lemon half and put artichoke in bowl of lemon water. Trim remaining artichokes in same manner.

TO TRIM ARTICHOKES ITALIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Halve lemon and into a bowl of cold water squeeze juice from 1 half, dropping squeezed half into water.
• Do not cut off stems of artichokes. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base and discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until exposed leaves are pale green at top and pale yellow at base.
• With a sharp stainless-steel knife cut off tops of leaves about 1 to 1 1/4 inches from top of artichoke. Trim fibrous parts from base of artichoke, being careful not to break off stem.
• Cut a thin slice from end of stem to expose a fresh cross section. Trim outer green fibrous part from stem, leaving pale core intact. Rub artichoke all over with cut side of remaining lemon half and put artichoke in bowl of lemon water.