Grilled Baby Artichokes With Mixed Herbs Vinaigrette Food

ARTICHOKE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Trim the sharp tips of the outside artichoke leaves with a sharp knife. Cut off the top of the artichoke about 1-inch and remove the stem so that the bottom is flat. Wash the artichoke in cold water and rub all cut surfaces with some of the fresh lemon juice and pulp.
• (A round slice of lemon may be tied to the bottom of the artichoke to prevent oxidation of the base.)
• Bring water to a boil, add the salt and the remaining pieces of the lemon, rind and all, and place the artichokes base down. Cover the pot and bring the water to the boil again before lowering the heat to a simmer. Cook the artichoke at a steady simmer for 35 to 45 minutes or until a leaf pulls easily free from the center. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the water, remove cool to room temperature. When cool some of the cooking juices may be drizzled over the top of the artichokes.
• In a stainless steel bowl combine the vinegar, mustard, herbs, salt and pepper and whisk to emulsify. Add the oil in a small steady stream until all the oil has been incorporated and the dressing has achieved a silky, smooth texture. The dressing may be stored, covered, for up to two weeks in the refrigerator, but should be brought to room temperature before using.
• Serve the artichoke with some vinaigrette on the side as a dip for each leaf or drizzled over the heart.

GRILLED BABY ARTICHOKES WITH CAPER-MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• Make sauce:
• Stir together all sauce ingredients with pepper to taste. Trim and cook artichokes: Combine 1 qt cold water and lemon juice in a large bowl. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base and discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until exposed leaves are pale green at top and pale yellow at base. Trim pointed tips of leaves with kitchen shears, then cut a thin slice from end of stem to expose a fresh cross section. Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and stem of artichoke, being careful not to break off stem. Halve artichoke lengthwise. Remove fuzzy center and any pointed inner leaves. Put in bowl of lemon water.
• Drain artichokes, then cook in a large pot of boiling salted water (1 Tbsp salt for 5 qt water) until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain well.
• Grill artichokes:
• Prepare a grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas).
• Toss artichokes with oil in a bowl. Oil grill rack, then grill artichokes, cut sides down, covered only if using a gas grill, turning once, until golden brown in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve drizzled with sauce.

GRILLED BABY ARTICHOKES WITH OLIVE OIL AND LEMON

Steps:

• Squeeze juice from lemon into bowl of cold water. Cut stem off 1 artichoke, leaving about 1 inch. Snap off bottom 3 rows of leaves. Cut off tip of artichoke. Halve artichoke lengthwise. Scrape out choke. Place in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes.
• Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add artichokes and boil until crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Drain; pat dry.
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Mix oil and 1/3 cup lemon juice in small bowl. Brush artichokes with some of dressing. Grill until tender and charred in spots, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in dressing. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer artichokes to platter. Pour dressing into small bowl. Serve artichokes warm or at room temperature, offering dressing alongside. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)

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.

GRILLED BABY ARTICHOKE, GIGANTE BEANS AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• First, marinate the cooked Gigante beans and artichokes in the vinaigrette for marinade. Do this while they are still warm from cooking so they absorb the marinade as they cool. It is best to prepare these the day before so they fully take on the flavor of the marinade.
• Toss the artichoke halves, roasted red pepper, basil leaves, feta cheese and Gigante beans together with 3/4-ounce of the vinaigrette. Season with a pinch of pepper, as the feta is already salty.
• Place on a chilled dinner plate, making sure all elements are exposed, in a croissant- shaped mound, leaving the void on the plate at the two 'o clock position.
• Dress the arugula with the remaining 1/4-ounce vinaigrette and place in a tight bundle in the void on the plate.
• Garnish the edge of the salad with basil oil.
• Toast sliced garlic in 2 tablespoons canola oil. Whisk together the toasted garlic and all other ingredients except the remaining oils. Slowly whisk the oil into the vinegar mixture to emulsify. Season with salt, pepper, sugar.

GRILLED SAUSAGE, FENNEL, AND BABY ARTICHOKE SPRING PASTA

Steps:

• Heat grill on medium-high.
• Cook sausages for 10 minutes, making sure to turn to prevent burning. Season fennel with salt and pepper, brush with olive oil, and grill until brown and tender, about 20 minutes. When cool enough to handle, slice the sausages on the bias into 1/4-inch slices, and cut the fennel into similarly sized pieces. Keep the sausage and fennel warm until ready to use.
• Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil for the pasta. Cook the pasta al dente.
• In another large pot of water, add lemon, onion, salt, and pepper and bring to a boil. Add trimmed artichokes and top with a small plate to weight down artichokes. Cook until hearts are almost tender, about 15 minutes. Remove from pot and pat dry. Season with salt and pepper, and place on grill to cook for 5 minutes. When cool enough to handle, halve the artichokes.
• In a medium sized bowl, mix the vinegar and mustard. Slowly whisk in oil until emulsified. Mix in salt, sugar, and pepper. Toss the sausage, fennel, artichokes, and pasta with walnut vinaigrette and plate, garnishing with the whole parsley leaves. Serve immediately.