Warm Marinated Artichoke Hearts With Olives And Feta Food

WARM MARINATED OLIVES

Steps:

• Drain the green and black olives from the brine or oil that they're packed in and place them in a medium bowl. Add the orange zest, garlic, fennel seeds, thyme leaves, red pepper flakes, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon black pepper. Pour the olive oil over the mixture, add the thyme sprigs and toss to combine.
• Transfer the mixture, including the olive oil, to a medium (10-inch) sauté pan. Heat over medium heat until the oil begins to sizzle. Lower the heat and sauté for 4 to 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the olives and garlic are heated through and fragrant. Serve warm right from the pan or transfer to a serving dish. Offer a small dish for the pits.

WARM FETA DIP WITH ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• In a medium bowl, stir together the artichoke hearts, feta, mayonnaise, Parmesan, pimientos and garlic until thoroughly combined. Transfer the mixture to a small casserole or glass pie plate and bake, uncovered, for 20 to 25 minutes, or until lightly browned. To serve, place the dish on a larger platter and surround with pita chips.

ARTICHOKE AND FETA TARTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Blend cream and 2 ounces feta in a food processor until smooth; season with salt and pepper.
• If using 14-ounce package of puff pastry, cut in half and roll out each half on a lightly floured surface into a 16x10" rectangle. (If using 17.3-ounce package, use 1 sheet of pastry for each tart.) Transfer each piece of pastry to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Using a paring knife, lightly score pastry (do not cut all the way through), leaving a 1" border.
• Spread feta mixture over pastry, dividing evenly and staying within border. Arrange artichoke hearts over feta mixture and crumble remaining 2 ounces feta over; drizzle with oil. Brush pastry border with egg.
• Bake tart until pastry is puffed and beginning to brown, 10-15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F and continue to bake until pastry is deep golden brown and cooked through, 20-25 minutes longer. Serve warm or at room temperature.
• Do Ahead
• Tart can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
• Variations:
• The feta and puff pastry in this tart pair well with any number of toppings. In place of the artichokes, try:
• Red Pepper + Olive: Scatter feta cream with jarred roasted red peppers, black olives, and chopped fresh rosemary, then bake. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil.
• Asparagus + Egg: Top cheese with asparagus that's been halved lengthwise. Once out of the oven, slide on a few fried eggs.
• Smoked Salmon + Scallion: Bake tart with feta only. When slightly cooled, add smoked salmon and sliced scallions.

WARM MARINATED ARTICHOKE HEARTS WITH OLIVES AND FETA

Steps:

• 1. Heat 10-inch cast iron skillet over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add 1 tbsp oil and heat until shimmering. Add artichokes and 1/2 tsp salt and cook until spotty brown, 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in thyme sprigs, lemon zest, garlic, fennel seeds, and pepper flakes and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds.
• 2. Stir in olives and remaining oil. Reduce heat to low and cook until flavors meld and mixture is heated through, about 20 minutes.
• 3. Discard thyme sprigs and lemon zest, if desired. Gently stir in feta and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper to taste. Sprinkle with parsley.

ARTICHOKE AND OLIVE FARRO SALAD

Steps:

• Set aside a sheet pan or a large plate. Bring a medium pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add the farro and give it a stir. Reduce the heat to medium-high and cook according to package instructions, skimming off any foam that rises, until the grains are tender and plump. Depending on the type of farro used, this can take anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. Drain the farro and transfer to the sheet pan or plate; spread out and cool to room temperature, 10 to 15 minutes. (If the farro is left to cool in the strainer, it will keep cooking, take longer to cool and turn mushy.)
• Transfer the farro to a medium mixing bowl. Add the vinegar, oil and ½ teaspoon salt, and stir to combine. Add the olives, artichoke, feta, dill, red onion and chives, and season with black pepper to taste. Stir and taste. Add more salt, vinegar and oil, as needed.
• Serve right away or store in the fridge for up to 2 days. The farro will absorb the vinegar and oil the longer it sits. Adjust seasoning, vinegar and oil before serving.

RIGATONI WITH FETA, TOMATOES, ARTICHOKES AND KALAMATA OLIVES

Steps:

• Heat a large pot of water for boiling pasta, add salt as desired. Cook Rigatoni to package instructions. (may take up to 13 minutes) Drain.
• In the mean time.
• Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat.
• Add garlic, green onions & oregano; sautee 60 seconds or longer until green onions, soften slightly. Careful not to burn the garlic.
• Add tomato, artichoke hearts, 1/2 of parsley, and lemon juice; Stir to combine, simmer until heated through. About 5-7 minutes. Add Kalamata olives, toss to coat and warm through. Can simmer longer until tomatoes are tender. NOTE: Do not add the kalamata olives too soon, the heat tends to make them taste off, to me.
• Add rigatoni to the tomato mixture and 3/4 cup cheese, toss gently.
• Top with remaining 1/4 cup cheese, if desired and parsley.
• Serve immediately.

ARTICHOKE HEARTS IN OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Cube the onions, potatoes and the carrots (1/4 inch thick).
• Next, cut out artichoke hearts. Here is a great way to do it: http://localfoods.about.com/od/preparationtips/ss/ArtichokeHearts.htm. It has pictures as well. Remember to rub the artichoke heart with lemon to prevent it from turning brown.
• In a pan sweat the onions in olive oil, then add other vegetables (including the artichoke hearts). Add salt and fry in low heat 5-6 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Pour water over the vegetables (enough to cover) and let it cook in low heat till the vegetables are all soft (15 minutes).
• Once cooked put the artichoke hearts on a plate and fill the centers with the vegetables. Cover the top with a piece of fresh dill weed.
• Serve cold.

MARINATED ARTICHOKE HEARTS WITH GREEN OLIVES AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Fit a large pot with a steamer rack; add water until it reaches just below rack. Place artichokes in steamer, stem-sides up. (If necessary to fit, trim top third from each with a serrated knife.) Cover and bring to a boil, then reduce heat to medium and steam, adding more water as needed, until the tip of a knife slides in and out of stems easily, 30 to 35 minutes. Remove artichokes; when cool enough to handle, remove leaves and reserve for another use. Scoop out and discard chokes. Cut hearts into halves or quarters.
• Combine oil, peppercorns, thyme sprigs, lemon zest, garlic, and 1 teaspoon kosher salt in a small saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until bubbles form around edges; remove from heat. Stir in lemon juice, then artichoke hearts; let stand, tossing occasionally, until cool, about 30 minutes. Stir in olives. (Dish can be made to this point and refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days; bring to room temperature before serving.)
• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brush cut sides of bread with oil; season with kosher salt and pepper. Place on a baking sheet; toast until golden brown on edges, about 8 minutes.
• Arrange artichoke mixture on a platter with cheese. Garnish with thyme sprigs and flowers, sprinkle with Hawaiian or kosher salt, drizzle generously with oil, and serve with toast.