Stuffed Artichoke Cake Food

CRAB CAKE-STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Mix the crab meat, garlic, breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, seasoning blend, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt and few good grinds pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Pour in the olive oil and toss until the mixture is evenly coated and the texture of wet sand. Set aside.
• Fill a large bowl with cold water, squeeze in the juice of 1 of the lemon halves and then drop in both lemon halves. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, trim about 1 inch off the top with a serrated knife, then snap off the tough outer leaves around the stem (about 2 layers of leaves). Use kitchen shears to trim 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the thorny leaf tips. Cut off the stem completely so the artichoke can sit flat and upright. Cut the artichoke in half lengthwise through the stem using a chef's knife, then use a melon baller to remove the choke (the fuzzy "hair" in the very center of the artichoke). Rub the cut parts with a lemon half (from the bowl), then keep the artichoke in the lemon water while you trim the rest.
• Use your fingers to spread the leaves of each artichoke half, then stuff the crumb mixture between each. Fill the very center of each artichoke half with some of the breadcrumb mixture as well. Use kitchen twine to tie the artichoke halves back together, making sure to prevent the breadcrumbs from falling out.
• Set up a steamer basket over a large pot of simmering water, then add the stuffed artichokes upright (don't worry if they're snug). Cover with a lid and steam over medium-low heat, adding more water as needed, until the bottom of the artichoke is tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Within the last 5 minutes of cooking, preheat the oven to broil.
• Transfer the stuffed artichokes from the steamer basket to a rimmed baking sheet and remove the kitchen twine. Place the artichoke halves cut-side up. Watching carefully, broil until the breadcrumbs turn crisp and golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a platter and serve with an extra dusting of seasoning blend and the lemon wedges.

STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Mix 3 cups breadcrumbs, 3 grated garlic cloves, 1 1/4 teaspoons salt, 1/2 teaspoon pepper and 1 cup each grated parmesan, pecorino, chopped parsley and olive oil in a bowl. Trim 4 large artichokes (see Cook's Note), removing the stems. Separate the leaves; stuff the crumb mixture between each. Stand upright in a steamer basket over simmering water, cover and steam over medium-low heat, adding more water as needed, until tender, about 1 hour, 20 minutes. Drizzle with olive oil and some of the cooking liquid.

ITALIAN STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Trim the stem of an artichoke so the base is flat and even. Trim the top inch off the artichoke and remove and discard any tough, woody outer leaves. Gently open up the leaves to get to the center. Using a spoon, scoop out the fuzzy choke in the center. Using scissors, trim off the sharp points of the large outer leaves. Rub and pour lemon juice all over the inside and outside (reserve half of the juice). Repeat with remaining artichokes.
• Mix together pulverized crackers, Pecorino, olive oil, parsley, Italian seasoning, garlic, lemon zest and salt and pepper.
• Pack each artichoke with the stuffing mixture, starting with the interior and working your way around between the outer leaves. Continue this process with the remaining artichokes. Place artichokes in an 8-inch square baking dish and add about 1 inch of chicken stock and the reserved lemon juice to the bottom of the dish. Cover tightly with foil.
• Bake until leaves pull out easily and the meat at the bottom of the leaves is tender, 1 hour to 1 hour 30 minutes. Preheat the broiler. Take off foil, drizzle the artichokes with olive oil and broil until tops are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Serve!

STUFFED ARTICHOKE CAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Coat the inside of a 1-quart ovenproof bowl and a 2-cup ovenproof measuring cup with cooking spray. Prepare the cake mix as the label directs. Pour 2 cups batter into the measuring cup and the rest into the bowl.
• Bake the cakes until a toothpick inserted into the centers comes out clean, 35 to 45 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes in the bowl and cup, then invert onto a rack to cool completely.
• Make the frosting: Beat the marshmallow cream, butter and confectioners' sugar with a mixer until fluffy, 3 minutes. Tint dark green with green food coloring and a few drops of red. (If the frosting is too thick, beat in 1 tablespoon hot water.)
• Flip the cakes right-side up. Trim the top of the bowl cake to make it level. Cut off a 1 1/2-inch piece from the bottom of the cup-shaped cake, then trim the top to make it level. Reserve all the cake trimmings.
• Put the bowl cake on a baking sheet, trimmed-side up. Spread the top with a layer of frosting, then place the cup-shaped cake on top, wide-end down. Freeze about 20 minutes.
• Melt the green and red candy melts with the shortening in the microwave. Dip the back of 10 plastic spoons in the candy to coat (do not let the candy go over the edge). Place on a separate baking sheet lined with wax paper. Freeze until set, no more than 5 minutes.
• Remove from the freezer. Carefully bend the bowl of the spoon and the handle to release the candy shell. (Don't worry if some break-you can remelt them.) Repeat to make about 80 leaves, remelting the candy as needed.
• Use a paring knife to trim 1 inch from the narrow end of each candy leaf. Save the small trimmed pieces for the top of the cake. (You can make the leaves a day ahead; store in an airtight container at room temperature.)
• Transfer the cake to a serving plate; arrange strips of wax paper around the bottom edge of the cake to keep the plate clean. Cover the cake with a generous layer of frosting to make an artichoke shape.
• Starting at the top center of the cake, arrange the small trimmed candy pieces in concentric circles, cut-edge up; cover the entire top. Place rows of the large candy leaves around the side of the cake to cover completely. Chill to set the frosting.
• Crumble the reserved cake trimmings on a baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees F, stirring, until toasted; cool. Place the coconut in a resealable bag with 2 drops green food coloring; massage until green. Empty into a bowl and crumble in the cake crumbs.
• Sprinkle the crumb mixture on top of the cake and into the leaves. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

CLASSIC STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• 1. Prepare a large bowl or pan for artichoke soak. Put water and about 1 TB. lemon juice in bowl or pan. Set aside. It should be able to hold 4 artichokes. I use a LARGE salad bowl.
• 2. Cut off thick stems of artichoke so it can stand on its own (also cut off ragged bottom of stem). Trim hard outer layer of stem off and throw away. Chop your stem in fine pieces and put aside. Cut off top of artichoke and trim off the edges of the leaves (the prickly parts) with kitchen shears. With artichoke on plate, open artichoke up gently by sticking your thumbs in the middle of each layer and push out a bit. Do this gently as not to break the leaves. It will resemble a flower. After each artichoke is prepared, drop it in the lemon water so it won't brown.
• 3. Mix Bread crumbs, garlic, Parmesan cheese, artichoke stem pieces, parsley, salt and pepper in a large cake mixing bowl. Add oil (more or less what I posted) to mixture until the mixture starts to hold together a bit (like streusel topping) and ball up a little when you squeeze it. I do this part with clean hands to FEEL the consistency. When this is done - retrieve an artichoke from lemon water and shake excess water off before stuffing it.
• 4. Set one artichoke in bowl with bread crumb mixture and start stuffing the filling between each leaf, starting on the outside, working your way toward the middle. Stuff the meatiest leaves, the last ¼ towards the middle doesn't really need the stuffing. After all the artichokes are stuffed, you can put any extra stuffing on top to fill in the cracks and make it even. Place the artichokes in a very wide deep cooking pot. You want the artichokes to JUST fit in the pan, crowded (they hold up better this way) and able to cover with a pot lid. Fill skillet or pot with water 1 to 2 inches up the side of the artichoke. Drizzle tops of artichokes with good olive oil. Partially cover the pan with lid leaving ½ or 1 inch open to let some steam out and bring to boil, then turn heat down to low and simmer. The artichokes will take at least 1 hour to cook and up to 2 hours depending on the size of the artichokes. Keep a small pitcher of water close by to refill the water if it gets too low. If you don't, the water will steam out and burn the artichokes.
• 5. It will be ready when you are able to easily pull a leaf from the center out and the artichoke is very tender. I serve with melted butter and lemon slices or a mixture of:1/2 c. Sour Cream, 1 TB Horseradish, ½ teas. Lemon Pepper, and 1 TB. Lemon juice. Don't forget the HEART...it's the best part!

STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Squeeze the lemon halves into a large bowl and fill the bowl with cold water. Trim the bottom off each artichoke. Trim off the tough outer leaves. Snip the thorny tips off the top leaves. As each one is completed, place it in the lemon water to prevent it from discoloring.
• In a small bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, cheese, garlic, and parsley and season with pepper. Pull each leaf open slightly from each artichoke and stuff a little filling into the opening. Place the artichokes snugly side by side in a large pan with a tight-fitting lid. Add 1 inch of water to the pot. Cover, bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and steam until the bottoms of the artichokes are tender, 35 to 45 minutes; a knife should insert easily. Make sure the water doesn't boil dry. Add more water if necessary.
• Serve each artichoke hot, on an individual plate.

STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Snip the pointed tips of artichoke leaves, and cut off the stems. Wash and drain. Holding artichoke firmly by base, firmly rap the top of it on a hard surface; this will open it so it can be stuffed.
• In a medium bowl combine bread cubes, garlic, parsley, Romano cheese, oregano, 2 tablespoons vegetable oil, salt and pepper; mix well.
• Press about 1/2 cup of stuffing into each artichoke. Tightly pack stuffed artichokes together in a large heavy saucepan or Dutch oven. Add enough water to reach half way up artichokes and add 3 tablespoons oil.
• Bring to a boil over high heat; reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 1 hour, or until leaves pull out easily.

THE BEST STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cut top 1/4 of an artichoke off and discard. Trim off the top 1/2 inch from remaining leaves. Cut off bottom inch from stalk to create a flat bottom. Turn artichoke upside down and bang on surface to loosen the leaves. Zest 3/4 teaspoon of lemon zest from the lemon and set aside. Cut lemon in half and rub cut leaves and stem of artichoke with lemon. Repeat artichoke prep with remaining artichokes.
• Combine reserved lemon zest with bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and stir well.
• Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly into all the artichoke leaves, avoiding the thistle leaves in the direct center. Work mixture evenly into each crevice of each artichoke until all of the mixture is used.
• Pour water in the bottom of a Dutch oven. Add remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Set artichokes in the pot so that they are touching, so that they may remain upright during cooking. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until the leaves release very easily, about 1 hour.
• Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with more parsley if desired. Serve warm or room temperature.