Artichokes Fresh Favas Potatoes Food

MEDITERRANEAN ARTICHOKE AND FRESH FAVA STEW

Steps:

• Trim the artichokes, cut in half and immediately submerge in a bowl of water acidulated with the juice of 1/2 lemon.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat in a large, heavy casserole or Dutch oven. Add the onion, and cook, stirring, until tender, about three minutes. Add the garlic, and cook, stirring, for a minute until fragrant. Drain the artichokes, and add the skinned fava beans, the fennel or dill, and the juice of 1 lemon (3 tablespoons) and the remaining olive oil. Add enough water to just cover everything, and salt to taste. Bring to a simmer. Cover and simmer 20 to 30 minutes until the vegetables are tender and the broth fragrant.
• Turn the heat to high, and reduce the liquid in the pan by about a third. Stir in a generous amount of freshly ground pepper. Taste and adjust salt. Serve warm.

ARTICHOKES, FRESH FAVAS & POTATOES

Steps:

• Put the potatoes in a pot with water to cover them by about 2 inches, and bring to a boil. Cook just until the potatoes are easily pierced with a fork or sharp knife blade (don't let them get mushy), then drain and let them cool. Peel off the skin, and cut the potatoes crosswise into round slices, about 1/2 inch thick.
• To prepare the favas: Bring 4 quarts of water to boil in another saucepan, drop in the shelled favas, and blanch about 2 minutes, until they turn bright green. Drain the beans, and drop them right away into a large bowl of ice water. When chilled, drain the favas again; peel off (and discard) the inner skins. You should have about 2 cups peeled favas.
• To prepare the artichokes: Fill a large bowl with a couple of quarts of cold water, and squeeze in the juice of the lemon, dropping in the cut lemon halves, too. Snap off the thick outside artichoke leaves; cut off the top third of the remaining leaf tips, and trim the stem tip. Peel the globe of the artichoke, removing the stubs of the plucked leaves and the skin covering the stem, to expose the lighter-colored tender flesh. Slice the artichoke in half lengthwise, and scrape out the choke (if present) with a paring knife or the edge of a teaspoon. Slice the artichoke halves into 1-inch-thick wedges, and drop them into the bowl of acidulated water.
• Pour 4 tablespoons of the olive oil into the big skillet, set it over medium heat, and scatter in the pancetta pieces. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, as they render fat, then stir in the onion slices, sprinkle in the peperoncino, and cook another 4 minutes or so, until the onions are sizzling and wilting. Drain the artichoke wedges and spread them in the pan; stir and toss gently to coat them with oil. Cover the skillet, and cook for about 15 minutes, until the artichokes are tender, stirring now and then.
• Spread the sliced potato rounds in the pan, scatter the favas on top, and turn them over with a stiff spatula, mixing them with the hot vegetables. Cover and cook for 10 minutes or so, stirring and turning the vegetables over gently so the potatoes don't break apart too much. If they're sticking to the bottom of the skillet, loosen with a few tablespoons of water, scrape them up, and turn them over. If there's liquid in the pan, remove the cover and cook it away over slightly higher heat. When the potatoes start to brown, sprinkle on the salt, and drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil all over.
• Cook, uncovered, for another 5 to 10 minutes, occasionally lifting and tumbling the vegetables over with the spatula. As you do, scrape up the crusty glaze that forms on the skillet bottom, and turn it with the vegetables, to incorporate the crustiness throughout. When everything is golden and lightly crusted, turn off the heat. Serve the ciaudedda family-style while still hot, right from the skillet.

FAVA BEANS WITH MINT, POTATOES AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Slice off tops of artichokes horizontally and remove the tough outer leaves and stems. Cut artichokes into slices one-fourth-inch thick and place in cold water to cover with lemon half.
• Drain artichokes and dry them in a salad spinner. Pour oil into a large roasting pan and put potatoes and artichokes in the pan with mint and garlic. Roast 45 minutes or until they are lightly browned, turning often.
• Meanwhile, steam the fava beans for five minutes. Add them to potatoes with mint and bake for five minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Remove garlic cloves before serving. Garnish with mint.

ROASTED SMASHED POTATOES WITH ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°. Place potatoes in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook, uncovered, until tender, 15-20 minutes. Drain. Drain artichokes, reserving 1/4 cup oil. Drizzle oil in a 12-in. cast-iron or other ovenproof skillet; arrange potatoes and artichokes over oil. Using a potato masher, flatten potatoes to 1/2-in. thickness; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Roast until crispy and golden brown, 20-25 minutes. If desired, top with minced fresh chives.

NEW POTATOES WITH ARTICHOKES AND FAVA BEANS

Steps:

• Squeeze the lemon half into a bowl of cold water large enough to hold the artichokes. Trim the outer leaves from the artichokes and cut off the tops, two-thirds down horizontally, and the stalks. Cut the artichokes in half. As you trim each artichoke, add it to the water to prevent it from turning brown. Quarter the potatoes.
• Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet (you may need two or to work in two batches) and sautee the potatoes with the garlic for 10 minutes. Dry the artichokes in a salad spinner and add them to the pan. If necessary, add more oil. Season to taste with salt and pepper and cook, stirring from time to time, until the potatoes and artichokes are golden (about 15 minutes).
• Meanwhile, peel the fava beans and steam them until cooked (about five minutes). Add them to the potato-artichoke mixture and cook, stirring, for one minute so that they are coated with the oil. Remove the garlic and discard. Correct seasoning, sprinkle the dish with tarragon and serve.