Artichoke And Basil Hero Food

ARTICHOKE-BASIL SPREAD

Steps:

• In a food processor, combine artichokes, basil, mayonnaise, lemon juice, and red-pepper flakes; pulse until smooth. Season with salt and pepper; pulse briefly to combine. Serve on a sandwich or with crackers or crudites. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.

ARTICHOKES WITH BASIL MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Mix first 4 ingredients in medium bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• Cook artichokes, covered, in large pot of boiling salted water until tender when pierced with knife, about 45 minutes. Drain well. (Basil mayonnaise and artichokes can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover separately and refrigerate.)
• Serve artichokes warm, at room temperature or chilled with basil mayonnaise.

ARTICHOKE AND BASIL HERO SANDWICH

Steps:

• To make the basil/parmesan mixture: (this mixture can be doubled if desired) in a blender or food processor bowl combine fresh basil, Parmesan cheese, capers, wine vinegar, mustard and garlic cloves; process until almost smooth.
• Cover and refrigerate for 8-24 hours (overnight is better!).
• Cut the bread in half lengthwise.
• Hollow out each half (leaving a 1/2-inch shell).
• Spread the prepared basil mixture over each bread half, then layer artichoke hearts (at this point you can add in cold cuts if desired) then provolone cheese, tomato then top with spinach.
• Cover with the bread top.
• Cut the sandwich crosswise into about 6-8 pieces.

CHICKEN WITH BASIL ARTICHOKE SAUCE

Steps:

• Rub chicken with salt and pepper. In a large skillet, brown chicken in oil on both sides. Transfer to a greased 13-in. x 9-in. baking dish. Drizzle with lemon juice. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 20-25 minutes or until chicken juices run clear., Meanwhile, in a small heavy saucepan, whisk cornstarch and milk until smooth. Bring to a boil; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened. Stir in the remaining ingredients; heat through. Serve sauce with chicken.

ARTICHOKE BASIL PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• Drain artichoke marinade into a 2 quart casserole; quarter artichokes and set aside.
• Add onion and garlic to marinade.
• Cover with a lid or plastic wrap and microwave on high 6 to 8 minutes, or until onions are tender.
• Drain juice from tomatoes into onion mixture.
• Coarsely chop tomatoes and add to onion mixture, along with tomato paste, artichoke hearts, and water.If using dried basil add it now too.
• Cover and microwave on high 8 minutes, or until bubbly hot.
• Stir in fresh basil if you're using it and serve over any variety of cooked pasta.
• Sprinkle with parmesan cheese and serve.

ARTICHOKE-BASIL PASTA SAUCE

Steps:

• Drain artichokes, reserving marinade; set artichokes aside. In a large saucepan, saute onion and mushrooms in reserved marinade for 2-3 minutes or until tender. Add garlic; cook 1 minute longer., Stir in the artichokes, tomatoes, water, tomato paste, basil, sugar and salt if desired. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 5-10 minutes or until heated through. Serve over pasta.