Braised Baby Artichokes With Red Peppers And Garlic Food

BRAISED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with water. Halve 1 lemon, squeeze the juice into the water and drop both halves into the bowl.
• Cut off the top quarter of the artichokes with a serrated knife. Peel the tough dark green skin from the stems using a paring knife and remove the tough outer leaves until the tender inner green leaves are revealed; it should be only a couple of layers. Cut the artichokes in half lengthwise and toss into the lemon water.
• Zest and juice the remaining 2 lemons and reserve. Coat a large straight-sided skillet generously with olive oil and add the garlic, anchovies and red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the garlic is very aromatic and the anchovies have dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the artichokes from the water and add them to the pan along with the reserved lemon zest and juice, the white wine and thyme. Season with salt and add just enough water to cover the artichokes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook until the artichokes are very soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the lid and let the liquid reduce until it comes less than halfway up the sides of the arties, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the thyme and toss in the parsley. Swirl and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust if you need to (you probably will). Put the artichokes on a rimmed serving platter or in a bowl. Use a vegetable peeler to shave the parmigiano on top.

BRAISED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Trim 6 medium artichokes (see Cook's Note), leaving the stems intact. Halve lengthwise. Cook 2 each sliced carrots, celery stalks and leeks in a pot with 1/4 cup olive oil over medium heat until tender, about 12 minutes. Add 3 sliced garlic cloves; cook 2 more minutes. Add the artichokes in a single layer; add 2 teaspoons salt, 2 bay leaves, 3 thyme sprigs, 1 rosemary sprig, 1 1/2 cups white wine, and water to cover. Lay a round of parchment paper on the artichokes and simmer until tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in the liquid.

BRAISED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with water, and juice lemon into water. Reserve lemon halves. Remove tough outer leaves of artichokes. Trim pointy tops and stems, rubbing artichokes with lemon halves and then transferring them to the lemon water as you work to prevent discoloration. Cut larger baby artichokes in half lengthwise if desired.
• Drain artichokes, and transfer to a large skillet along with stock, wine, and oil. Set over medium-high heat, and cover. Cook, stirring occasionally, until artichokes are tender and golden and liquid has completely evaporated, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper, and serve immediately.

BRAISED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with water. Cut 2 lemons in half and squeeze both lemon halves into the water, then drop in the halves.
• Trim the tough dark green skin from the stem of the artichoke if there is a stem, and remove the tough outer leaves until lovely gentle spring green is revealed, it should only be a couple of layers. Cut the artichokes in half lengthwise and toss into the lemon (acidulated) water. Artichokes will turn brown before your eyes, so it is important to have the acidulated water set up before 1 leaf is removed from the artichoke.
• Coat a large straight-sided saute pan over medium heat, generously with olive oil and add the smashed garlic cloves and crushed red pepper. When the garlic cloves are golden brown and aromatic, remove them. They have fulfilled their garlic destiny.Add the anchovy fillets and let them melt into a saucy consistency before adding the prepared artichokes to the pan along with the lemon halves. Pour in the white wine, add the thyme bundle and season with salt, to taste. Bring to a boil and add enough water to cover the artichokes (shouldn't be much water). Cover the pan and simmer until the artichokes are very soft, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the lid and let the liquid reduce until it is less than halfway up the sides of the artichokes. Remove the thyme bundle. Taste to check for seasoning and readjust, if necessary, (you probably will). Finish by tossing in the chopped parsley. Transfer the artichokes to a serving bowl and serve topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings.
• Yay! What a side dish!

BRAISED BABY ARTICHOKES WITH RED PEPPERS AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Cut 1 lemon in half. Squeeze juice into bowl of cold water; add lemon halves. Quarter second lemon. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, trim off tough outer leaves (about 3 layers). Cut off 3/4 inch of top; cut off stem. Cut artichoke in half lengthwise; rub all cut surfaces with lemon quarter to prevent discoloration. Scoop out any choke from center. Drop artichoke halves into lemon water.
• Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat. Add green onions. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add bell peppers. Sauté until peppers soften, about 3 minutes. Add garlic; stir 2 minutes. Drain artichokes and add to skillet. Add 1 cup water, 2 tablespoons lemon juice, thyme, bay leaf, and lemon peel. Sprinkle with salt and pepper; bring to simmer. Cover and simmer until artichokes are tender, adding more water by 1/4 cupfuls if mixture is dry and stirring occasionally, about 20 minutes. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Rewarm, covered, over low heat, adding more water if dry.) Mix in parsley; season with salt and pepper.

ROASTED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Prepare artichokes. Remove the tough outer leaves of the artichokes and trim the stems. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer green layer from the stem. Cut off the top third of the head to remove the tough ends of the leaves, then split it down the middle. Rub with lemon as you work so they don't turn brown.
• Mix together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic. Lay the artichoke halves cut-side up in a roasting dish and drizzle with the olive oil mixture. Roast in the oven until the artichokes are tender, about 20 minutes.
• To serve, top with the cheese and garnish with the parsley.

BRAISED BABY ARTICHOKES AND SHALLOTS

Steps:

• Halve shallots lengthwise. Pull tough outer leaves (about 5 layers) from artichokes so they resemble tight rosebuds. Cut off top third of each artichoke and discard. Trim stem ends and halve artichokes through stems.
• In a large heavy skillet heat oil and butter over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking and sauté artichokes and shallots, stirring occasionally, until golden. Add broth and simmer, covered, 15 minutes, or until artichokes are almost tender. Add wine and boil, uncovered, until liquid is evaporated.
• Toss braised vegetables with parsley and season with salt and pepper.