To Trim Artichokes Into Bottoms Food

TO TRIM ARTICHOKES INTO BOTTOMS, ITALIAN-STYLE

Steps:

• Halve lemon. Into a bowl of cold water squeeze juice from 1 lemon half and drop squeezed half into water. Do not cut off stems of artichokes. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base and discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until exposed leaves are pale green at top and pale yellow at base.
• With a sharp stainless-steel knife cut off remaining leaves, discarding them (you should have just heart and stem of artichoke). Trim dark green fibrous parts from base of artichoke, being careful not to break off stem. Cut a thin slice from end of stem to expose a fresh cross section. Trim outer green fibrous part from stem, leaving pale core intact. Halve artichoke hearts lengthwise and with a melon-ball cutter or grapefruit spoon scrape out choke and spiky purple-tipped leaves. Rub artichoke all over with cut side of remaining lemon half and put artichoke in bowl of lemon water. Trim remaining artichokes in same manner.

AGINARES AVGOLEMONO (ARTICHOKE BOTTOMS IN AVGOLEMONO)

Steps:

• Remove the leaves from the artichokes and scoop out the chokes, leaving the bottoms. Discard the leaves. Cut the bottoms in half. Put them in cold water with 2 tablespoons of lemon juice added. When ready to use, drain and pat dry.
• Pour the olive oil into a 6-quart saucepan. Saute the onions until soft. Add the potatoes and carrots and cook for about 5 minutes.
• Add the artichoke bottoms, 4 1/2 cups of hot water, the dill and salt. Cover and bring to a boil over medium heat. Simmer until the potatoes, carrots and artichoke bottoms are fork-tender, about 12 to 15 minutes. Do not stir, but occasionally lift and move the pan back and forth (gentle shaking) to move the mixture around and keep it from sticking to the bottom of the pan, but be careful not to break up the vegetables. Reduce the heat to a low simmer while preparing the avgolemono sauce.
• To make the avgolemono sauce, beat the eggs well in a small bowl, then slowly add 2/3 cup of lemon juice. Add the dissolved cornstarch and then slowly add about a cup of broth from the cooked vegetables, stirring all the while.
• Pour the sauce over the vegetables and cook on low for about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to stand 10 minutes before serving.

FRIED ARTICHOKE BOTTOMS WITH PICHOLINE OLIVE DRESSING

Steps:

• To cook the artichokes, prepare a bowl with cold water and 3 sliced lemons to store the artichokes in after they have been peeled to prevent discoloration.
• Using a paring knife, remove the outer leaves and trim off the stem of each artichoke, and place in lemon water until ready to use.
• In a medium size pot, combine the celery, garlic, white wine, juice of 2 lemons, parsley, thyme, chicken stock, and salt and pepper, and bring to a simmer. Add the artichokes and cover them with a dishtowel to submerse the artichokes in the liquid. Cook for approximately 45 minutes, or until fork tender. When finished cooking, remove artichokes from liquid, and let cool to room temperature.
• Once they have cooled, remove any inner leaves and choke that are remaining. Slice the artichoke bottoms into four pieces.
• To bread the artichokes, set up the flour, lightly beaten eggs, and bread crumbs in separate dishes. Dredge the cut artichoke bottoms first in the flour, then in the eggs, and finally in the bread crumbs. Repeat this process until all pieces are breaded. Refrigerate until ready to fry.
• To prepare the dressing, combine the olives and olive juice in a food processor. Process until ground. Add the lemon juice, sherry vinegar, Dijon mustard, and egg yolk, and pulse until all ingredients are mixed together. While pulsing, drizzle in the olive oil to create an emulsion. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• To fry the artichoke bottoms, use a heavy-bottomed saucepot, filled half way up with corn oil. Place over medium high heat and bring oil to 350 degrees F. Use a candy thermometer to determine the temperature. When oil is hot, add the artichokes a few pieces at a time and fry until golden brown. Remove from oil, drain on paper towels, and season with salt and pepper.
• To serve, fill a ramekin with the picholine dressing. Line a platter with romaine lettuce, and place the fried artichokes on top. Garnish the platter with lemon wedges and parsley sprigs.