Stuffed Artichoke Casserole Food

STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Squeeze the juice from the lemon halves into a large pot of cold water; add the squeezed lemon halves and the whole garlic. Cut off the top quarter of each artichoke and discard. Use a small sharp knife to trim the stem of the artichokes. Starting at the base, bend the tough outer leaves back and snap off where they break naturally, leaving the tender inner leaves. Trim the outside of the base until no dark green areas remain. Cut the artichokes in half and then into quarters. Cut out the fibrous choke and small purple-tipped leaves. Submerge the artichoke quarters in the lemon water. Cover and boil until the artichokes are tender, about 45 minutes. Drain. Set the artichoke quarters aside to cool to room temperature.
• Mix together lemon juice, herbs, garlic, lemon peel, capers, bread, and tomatoes in a large bowl. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Arrange artichokes, cut side up, on 2 platters. Spoon the tomato mixture into the center of the artichoke quarters, dividing equally. Drizzle with olive oil. Garnish with the parsley sprigs and serve.

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 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.

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.

UNSTUFFED ARTICHOKE CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F.
• Prepare stuffing mix as directed on package, except reduce the water to 1 cup.
• Whisk eggs in large bowl until blended. Add artichokes and stuffing; mix lightly.
• Spoon into 2-qt. casserole sprayed with cooking spray; top with cheese. Cover.
• Bake 30 min. or until knife inserted in center comes out clean.