Roasted Baby Artichokes Asparagus And Fennel With Olives Food

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.

PAN-ROASTED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Peel off and discard a few outer petals of the artichokes until you reach the pale, tender center. Trim the top and stem end, then quarter each artichoke. There should be no discernible choke, but if there is, remove it with a paring knife. Put the artichokes in a bowl of cold water to which the lemon juice has been added.
• In a wide, heavy, nonaluminum skillet, heat a 1/2 inch of olive oil over medium heat. Drain and blot the artichokes and, when the oil is nearly smoking, carefully add them to the skillet. Season well with salt and pepper, stirring to coat with oil. Let the artichokes brown slightly, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, until they are tender when probed with a paring knife.
• Add the red pepper, garlic and parsley. Stir well and let sizzle for a minute or so. Transfer the artichokes to a platter, sprinkle with coarse salt and serve with lemon wedges, or sprinkle sparingly with red wine vinegar. Eat hot, or at room temperature.

ARTICHOKE AND FENNEL CRUDO

Steps:

• Whisk together the olive oil and lemon juice in a small bowl. In a separate medium bowl, place the arugula. Spoon a small amount of the dressing onto the arugula and toss to coat. Spread a bed of arugula on a plate and set aside.
• In a large bowl, combine the sliced artichokes, fennel, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/8 teaspoon pepper with the remaining dressing. Mix well to coat. Mound the artichoke mixture on top of the arugula. Top with the shaved Parmesan and serve.

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.

ARTICHOKE, FENNEL, ASPARAGUS, GREEN BEAN AND FRESH SUMMER TRUFFLE SALAD, TOPPED WITH GRILLED HALIBUT FILLET IN A TRUFFLE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Trim outer leaves of artichokes all the way to the heart. Cook artichoke hearts in simmering water with lemon juice for approximately 7 to 8 minutes. Cool down in an ice water bath, and then cut into small sections.
• Peel and cook asparagus for 1 minute in simmering water. Cool down in an ice water bath to keep green. Cut each spear into 3 pieces, on the bias.
• Trim and snip green beans. Cook in boiling water for 2 minutes. Cool down in an iced water bath to keep green.
• Clean and trim fennel. Cut out center part, and then cook in boiling water for about 40 minutes, or until tender. Cool down in an iced water bath. Cut into even wedges.
• Slice fresh summer truffle very finely with a sharp knife, and set aside. In a small salad bowl, mix the shallots, olive and truffle oils, sherry vinegar, and salt and pepper, to taste. Set dressing aside.
• Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium-high. Season halibut with salt and pepper, and grill on both sides until cooked through (fish should be opaque in the center).
• On 4 large dinner plates, arrange baby lettuce, artichokes, asparagus, green beans, and fennel. Place halibut in the center on top, dribble with vinaigrette, and garnish with fresh summer truffle slices.

ROASTED FENNEL AND ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Arrange fennel and artichokes on a rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil, and season with salt and pepper. Roast vegetables until caramelized on both sides, about 35 minutes, tossing after 20 minutes.
• Drizzle with remaining oil and the lemon juice. Add parsley, and toss to combine. Garnish with fennel fronds.

SAUTéED BABY ARTICHOKES WITH GARLIC AND OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Snap off outer leaves of artichokes, as far as they will snap, leaving only white leaves. Trim stems, and cut off thorny tops about 3/4 of an inch down. Cut in halves or quarters, depending on artichokes' size. Hold in a bowl of cold water with juice of a lemon.
• Add olive oil to an 8-inch skillet. Dry artichokes. Heat oil, and add garlic and artichokes, sautéing over medium heat for 5 to 7 minutes on each side, until fork tender. Sprinkle with parsley, and season with coarse salt and pepper. Serve as an hors d'oeuvre with toothpicks, or as a vegetable.