Crispy Artichoke Hearts With Creamy Bagna Cauda Food

GRILLED ARTICHOKES WITH BAGNA CAUDA

Steps:

• For the grilled artichokes: In a medium Dutch oven, combine the white wine, thyme, rosemary, bay leaf, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1 cup water. Squeeze in the juice from the lemon halves and then drop the lemon halves into the pot. With a small spoon, scoop out the furry choke from each of the artichoke halves.
• Place the artichokes in the pot, cut-side down. Cover the pot and bring the poaching liquid to a simmer over medium-high heat; reduce the heat to medium low to maintain a gentle simmer. Poach the artichokes for 10 minutes, or until the tip of a paring knife slides in easily at the thickest point. Remove the artichokes to a wire rack to drain and cool slightly.
• For the bagna cauda: Place a small saucepan over medium heat. Add the olive oil, garlic and anchovy paste to the hot pan and stir with a wooden spoon, mashing the anchovy paste into the oil. Cook for about 3 minutes, or until the garlic is fragrant and just beginning to toast. Stir in the butter, one piece at a time, until completely incorporated. Season with a pinch of salt. Keep warm over low heat.
• To finish the grilled artichokes: Preheat a grill pan over medium-high heat. Drizzle the artichokes with 1 tablespoon olive oil and sprinkle with 1/4 teaspoon salt.
• Place the artichokes on the grill, cut-side down; grill until nicely browned, 4 minutes. Turn the artichokes and grill for another 2 minutes, pressing down gently for even browning.
• Serve the artichokes with the bagna cauda on the side for dipping.

ARTICHOKES WITH BAGNA CAUDA

Steps:

• Place unpeeled garlic cloves in small saucepan. Add enough water to cover garlic cloves by 1 inch. Bring to boil; reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until garlic is tender, about 25 minutes. Drain; transfer to plate. Chill garlic cloves until cool enough to handle, about 10 minutes. Squeeze garlic cloves from peel and place cloves in small bowl. Using fork, mash garlic cloves until smooth.
• Melt butter in heavy small saucepan over medium heat. Add anchovies and sauté 1 minute. Add mashed garlic and oil. Simmer over low heat 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend, stirring occasionally. Season to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Can be made 1 hour ahead. Let stand at room temperature. Rewarm before serving, stirring occasionally (bagna cauda will separate when served).
• Add artichokes to large pot of boiling salted water. Cover and cook until just tender when pierced through stem with fork, turning occasionally, 30 to 40 minutes, depending on size of artichokes. Drain.
• Place 1 hot artichoke on each of 6 plates. Divide bagna cauda among small bowls or ramekins. Serve artichokes with warm bagna cauda.

GRILLED ARTICHOKES WITH PARSLEY AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Preheat grill to medium-high heat.
• Trim the stem from each artichoke to 1-inch long, then bend back and snap off dark outer leaves. Cut top inch of artichokes with serrated knife. Using a vegetable peeler, peel dark green areas from stem and base of artichoke. Quarter each artichoke. Using a small, sharp knife, cut out the choke and remove the purple, prickly tipped leaves from the center of each wedge.
• Place finished artichokes in a large bowl of cold water and squeeze 2 lemons into the water and stir. Continue with remaining artichokes.
• Once finished, drain the artichokes and place into boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, about 12 minutes.
• Drain the cooked artichokes and place onto preheated grill. Cook until tender and lightly charred in spots, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a medium sized bowl, add remaining lemon juice (1/3 cup) parsley, garlic and salt and pepper, to taste. Gradually drizzle in olive oil.
• Toss or drizzle the grill artichokes with the garlic/parsley mixture and serve.

CRISPY ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray or line with parchment paper.
• In a food processor, combine the crackers, basil, cheese, parsley and garlic salt and process to fine crumbs (the texture of breadcrumbs). Roll the artichoke hearts in the cracker crumb mixture and place on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake until the cracker crumbs are golden brown, about 30 minutes. Arrange the artichokes on a serving platter with toothpicks. Serve with marinara sauce for dipping, if desired.

BAGNA-CAUDA BUTTER (WITH GARLIC AND ANCHOVIES)

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a small saucepan over low heat. When the oil just begins to warm, add the garlic and anchovies and cook slowly, stirring until the garlic becomes toasty brown and the anchovies dissolve (about ten minutes). Let cool completely.
• Process the butter in a food processor until smooth and creamy. Add the cooled garlic-anchovy mixture and a pinch of salt. Process until well blended. Taste and add more salt if needed. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the parsley. Refrigerate until firm enough to shape into a log.
• Put an 18-inch sheet of aluminum foil on your work surface. Spoon the butter down the center of the foil into a log about 1-1/2 inches in diameter. Enclose in foil and twist the ends to make a sealed log, like a tootsie roll. Refrigerate for up to one week, or freeze for up to six months.

CREAMY BAGNA CAUDA

Steps:

• Saute garlic in butter until light brown but NOT SCORCHED.
• Add anchovy filets, then cream.
• Hold out about 1/2 cup cream and combine with cornstarch.
• Stir thickener into mixture.
• Bring to a SIMMER but DO NOT BOIL.
• Stir constantly until thickened.
• You can place this in a fondue pot and serve with small, bite size assorted veggies or bread cubes.
• Some suggestions are carrot slices, artichoke hearts, cherry tomatoes, celery slices, cabbage leaves, Belgian Endive, broccoli florets, etc.
• Guests can dip their choice into the warm sauce.

CLASSIC BAGNA CAUDA

Steps:

• Place all ingredients in a heavy fondue pot, or saucepan, and simmer on LOW for 5 minutes.
• Serve with a platter of bite-size young vegetables (thinly sliced if the vegetables are fibrous), such as carrots, artichoke hearts, celery, cherry tomatoes, green pepper, zucchini, Belgian endive, and cabbage leaves.
• Or serve with bread cubes for dipping.
• Let the guests dip their choices into the warm sauce with fondue forks.

ARTICHOKES BAGNA CAUDA

Steps:

• Trim the stalks from the artichokes. Place three inches water in a large pot (do not use aluminum) and add the lemon juice. Simmer the artichokes until done (about 30 minutes). Drain upside down and serve at room temperature.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce. Heat the olive oil in a small pan and add the butter. When it has melted, add the garlic and saute for one to two minutes. Do not allow it to brown. Add the anchovies and cook over low heat, stirring constantly, until they have reduced to a paste. Add the parsley and pepper and cool.
• Serve the sauce on the side with the artichokes, using it as a dip.