Stuffed Artichokes With Shrimp Food

STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a pot large enough to fit the artichokes with water
• Rub the trimmed artichokes with lemon halves then squeeze lemons into the water
• Add artichokes and bring to a boil
• Cook the artichokes until leaves are tender and you can just peel one away from base
• Cold-shock the artichokes and drain upside down
• Remove the center leaves and use a grapefruit spoon or a soup spoon to scrape out the choke from center
• Heat a large skillet over medium heat with EVOO
• Melt butter into oil and add anchovies, breaking them up until they melt away
• Add garlic and red and black pepper, stir a minute or so, then add breadcrumbs
• Let them absorb the oil and butter then toast until deep golden and fragrant
• Cool
• Preheat oven to 425°F
• Combine cheese and parsley and mint and mix in cooled breadcrumbs
• Add 1/8-inch chicken stock or water to a casserole dish
• Fill the artichokes with the breadcrumb mixture, stuffing between each leaf and filling the center
• Place artichokes in the casserole dish and bake to heat through and until edges of leaves curl in and brown, about 20 minutes

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 ULTIMATE STUFFED ARTICHOKE RECIPE

Steps:

• Fill a steamer pot with a few inches of water, and place a steamer basket on top. Cover the pot and bring the water to a boil. Turn the heat to low and let it simmer.
• Use a Chef's knife to cut off about 1-inch from the top of each artichoke, and enough off of the bottom to form a nice base. Remove any especially tough outer leaves and discard them. Then use kitchen scissors to cut off the sharp tips of the leaves.
• Using your hands, carefully pull the leaves away from the middle of the artichoke -- just enough so that you can see down to the choke. Now use a spoon to reach down and gently scrape away and discard all of the fuzz, to reveal a clean heart. (See above image.) This will take a bit of muscle, but must be done. Drizzle about 1 tablespoon of the lemon juice inside and over each one.
• Place the artichokes, stem-end up, in the steamer basket, cover, and steam until they are almost tender, about 35 minutes. (They'll finish cooking in the oven.) Check for doneness by pulling off an outer leaf - it should come off fairly easily. Set them aside to cool.
• While the artichokes are steaming, preheat the oven to 375°F.
• Melt the butter in a large sauté pan over low-medium heat. Let it simmer until it begins to brown, about 3 minutes. Add the shallots and garlic and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Pour in about ⅓ cup of lemon juice and the wine. Stir and let this simmer on low heat for about 4 minutes. Add the bread crumbs and parsley, stir to blend and remove from the heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper (here's how), and set aside to cool.
• Place the artichokes, sitting on their bases, in a baking dish.
• Use a spoon and/or your hands to carefully fill the center of each artichoke with the stuffing -- fill it to maximum capacity! (If you think there's too much stuffing, don't worry just pack it in.) Then fill all of the spaces between the leaves as much as possible. Sprinkle the top of each one with 1 tablespoon of the Parmesan.
• Place the stuffed artichokes in the preheated 375°F oven and bake until the breadcrumbs are golden and the cheese has melted, 15 to 20 minutes.
• I like serving these whole for sharing.

SHRIMP STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Wash and trim artichokes.
• Steam over boiling water in a covered kettle for 30-40 minutes, or until tender when pierced.
• Turn them bottom up, place on paper towels and chill thoroughly.
• Carefully spread the center leaves of each artichoke open enough to expose the thistle-like choke.
• With a spoon, scoop and scrape the choke out, leaving the edible artichoke bottom intact.
• The artichoke should retain its shape with a hole in the center for the filling.
• Toss the shrimp with the parsley, dill or tarragon, and 1 tablespoon lemon juice.
• Blend the oil and mayonnaise together, add to the shrimp mixture and toss to combine.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste, and additional lemon juice if necessary.
• Fill the artichokes with the mixture and serve.

SHRIMP STUFFED ARTICHOKE

Steps:

• Trim pointy leaves and stem from artichoke and place in microwaveable dish with 1' water in bottom.
• Cover and cook on high for 7-9 minutes, or until tender.
• Drain and let cool.
• Remove and refrigerate leaves.
• Chop heart and tender center of stem; refrigerate if prepared ahead.
• Heat together olive oil and butter in a very large skillet.
• Add onions, bell peppers, green onion and garlic; cook over high heat until clear and tender, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add canned artichokes, liquid from can, and reserved artichoke heart and stem.
• Thoroughly mix in bread crumbs, then cheeses. Remove from heat.
• Spoon about 1 heaping teaspoon stuffing onto bottom part of each artichoke leaf; use all stuffing.
• Sprinkle leaves lightly with paprika and top each with a shrimp; if needed, cut larger shrimp in half to have enough for all leaves.
• Serve on pretty platter.

STUFFED ARTICHOKES WITH SHRIMP

Steps:

• Trim the sharp ends of each artichoke with scissors, and place in a large pot. Combine the artichokes with the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, and fill pot with enough water to cover the artichokes. Boil for 40 minutes or until tender. Remove artichokes from pot and let cool.
• Once artichokes have cooled, scoop out the centers with a spoon, to remove the choke.
• To prepare the sauce, combine mayonnaise, lemon juice, honey and mustard in a small bowl and mix well until smooth.
• Mix the shrimp with 3 tablespoons of the sauce and add the paprika and saffron.
• To serve, fill each artichoke with the remaining sauce. Garnish each artichoke by filling each leaf with a shrimp. Place on a large platter and serve with cherry tomatoes.