Tuscan Artichoke Rounds Recipes

TUSCAN-STYLE ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees.
• Cut each artichoke into quarters lengthwise, dropping them immediately into a bowl of water with the juice of 1 lemon, to avoid discoloring. With a small, sharp knife, scoop out and discard the hairy choke.
• In a large saute pan, mix the olive oil, vinegar, wine, garlic, parsley, thyme, salt and pepper. Arrange the artichoke quarters in one layer, with one cut side facing down, in the saute pan. Place the pan on a burner and bring the mixture to a boil over high heat for about 30 seconds. Then place the pan in the oven and roast the artichokes, turning once so that the other cut sides face down, until golden brown and barely tender, about 15 minutes total.
• The artichoke quarters may be prepared to this point several hours ahead and set aside at room temperature.
• Pick up the artichoke quarters (with tongs, if hot) and allow any excess oil to drip away. Grill the artichokes directly over high heat, turning occasionally, until they are nicely browned, 4-5 minutes.
• Serve warm.

TUSCAN ARTICHOKE ROUNDS RECIPE

Steps:

• Cook artichoke hearts according to package directions. Drain on paper towels. Place each heart, cut side up, on a melba toast and place on a baking sheet. Stir together butter, garlic salt, and pepper; drizzle evenly onto artichokes. Top with Parmesan cheese and bits of sun-dried tomatoes. Bake, uncovered, in a 350o oven for 10 minutes. Serves 24.

CARCIOFI RIPIENI (STUFFED ARTICHOKES)

Steps:

• Remove as many as the outer leaves of the artichokes as look tough, bruised or split. Don't worry about taking off too many; there are plenty under there. Trim the stem, but not too far, and create a flat bottom for the artichokes. Cut off about 1/2 inch of the tops with a sharp blade.
• Rinse each artichoke under water, and place in a large bowl of water into which you have squeezed half the lemon. This acidulated water will keep them from turning brown on their cut edges.
• Drain the artichokes upside down on a clean dish cloth, while you prepare the filling. Put all the rest of the ingredients, except the olive oil, in a bowl and mix well. Now, hold each trimmed artichoke over the bowl, and spread the leaves with the fingers of one hand, while filling the gaps with a teaspoon and the bread crumb mixture. The goal is to get as much of the filling distributed as evenly as one can.
• Place all the filled artichokes in a baking dish, and liberally pour olive oil to taste over each one - nearly a tablespoon for each is about the right amount. Pour a scant cup of water, or even water and white wine, into the baking dish. Cut the remaining piece of lemon up, and tuck around the artichokes. Cover securely with foil, and bake at 350F for about 1 and 1/2 hours. The leaves should pull out easily when they are done.
• These should be cooled a bit before serving. Enjoy.