Italian Artichoke Braid Food

ARTICHOKE BREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Combine artichoke hearts, Parmesan cheese, mayonnaise, and garlic together in a bowl.
• Spread artichoke topping evenly over the French bread halves. Place coated bread on a baking sheet.
• Bake in preheated oven until topping is hot and bubbling, about 20 minutes.

BRAISED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cut each of the artichokes in half; remove the toughest outer leaves, use a spoon to remove the choke, and trim the bottom.
• Put 3 tablespoons of the butter in a large, deep skillet over medium-high heat. When it melts and foam subsides, add artichokes, cut side down. Cook until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add stock (it should come about halfway up the sides of the artichokes), bring to a boil, and cover; turn heat to medium-low. Cook for about 20 minutes or until tender, checking every 5 or 10 minutes to make sure there is enough liquid in the pan, adding more stock as necessary. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and transfer artichokes to serving platter.
• Raise heat to medium-high and cook, stirring occasionally, until liquid is reduced to a sauce. Stir in lemon zest and juice and remaining tablespoon butter; taste and adjust seasoning. Serve artichokes drizzled with sauce.

ITALIAN STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Rinse artichokes well, tugging leaves outward to loosen slightly for stuffing.
• Trim off stems so artichokes sit on a flat surface.
• Trim off the pointed tips of each leaf.
• Set aside.
• In a large bowl combine bread crumbs, cheese, parsley, garlic salt, and pepper.
• Mix well; slowly add the oil till the crumb mixture is moistened enough to stick together.
• You may need to adjust the amount of oil depending on the type and amount of bread crumbs used.
• Stuff each leaf of the artichoke, starting from the bottom and working your way around, with crumb mixture.
• Stuff desired amount of leaves and shake off excess mixture.
• Continue this step with remaining artichokes.
• Place artichokes in a large baking pan and fill bottom of pan with 1/2 to 1 inch of water.
• Drizzle olive oil over top of stuffed artichokes and cover tightly with heavy duty foil.
• Cook on 375 degrees for approximately 60-80 minutes (depending on size of artichoke) or until leave comes out easily.
• Cool for 10 minutes; serve and Enjoy!

SPINACH AND ARTICHOKES IN PUFF PASTRY

Steps:

• Drain spinach well press between paper towels.
• Mix everything except puff pastry.
• thaw pastry room temperture 30 minutes.
• Unfold on a lightly floured table.
• Spread about 1/4 of the spinach mixture over pastry leaving a 1/2 inch border.
• Roll up jellyroll fashion.
• press to seal seam.
• Wrap in plastic wrap.
• Repeat with remaining pastry and spinach mixture.
• Freeze 1/2 hour.
• Cut into 1/2 inch thick slices (can be frozen up to 3 months).
• Bake 400* for 20 minutes or golden brown.