Addictive Artichoke Aioli Recipes

GRILLED ARTICHOKES WITH LEMON AIOLI DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• In a small bowl whisk all of the aioli ingredients except herbs. Store in the fridge, covered for up to 24 hours. Sprinkle freshly-cut herbs on top right before serving.
• Fill a large (8-quarts or more) pot with water, 2/3 of the way up, and bring to a boil.
• Trim one artichoke at a time, making sure to rub all of the freshly cut parts with a halved lemon as you go, to prevent discoloration. First cut off the very tip of the stem. Next, carefully slice off or shave (with a vegetable peeler) the tough outer skin of the stem. Using your scissors and starting at the bottom of the artichoke, snip off the thorny tip of each leaf (about 1/2 inch) until you get to the top of the artichoke, where the leaves are too crowded to separate.
• Lay the artichoke on its side and slice it in half, starting from the stem. Don't forget to keep wiping the cut parts with lemon. Lay each half cut-side down and slice off 3/4 of an inch from the top, to remove the last bunch of thorny tips. Lemon, lemon.
• Carefully drop the artichoke halves into the boiling water. When it returns to a boil, cover the pot and cook the artichokes for 20 minutes. Don't worry if they aren't all completely submerged. Those parts will cook in the steam. Using tongs, gently transfer the artichoke halves, cut side down, to a bowl (letting the water drip off of them) and let them cool for 15-20 minutes. When they're cool enough to handle, use a teaspoon to carefully scoop out the chokes (the hairy part near the heart). They artichokes are now ready for grilling or you can refrigerate them, covered with plastic wrap, for up to 48 hours before grilling them.
• Heat the grill to medium-high. (If you chill the artichokes overnight, allow them to sit at room temperature for 1/2 hour before proceeding.) Brush artichokes generously on both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Grill artichokes for about 5 minutes per side, outside first, until the cut side has grill marks and is nicely browned in spots.
• Serve the artichokes warm or at room temperature. I like to set the artichoke halves out on a big platter and let everyone help themselves. Make sure each person has a small plate, a fork and knife to eat the heart, and a small bowl of aioli for dipping. I usually put out one or two large communal bowls for the discarded leaves.

ARTICHOKE AIOLI

Steps:

• Combine artichoke hearts, mayonnaise, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, lemon zest, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper in a food processor or blender; blend until smooth. Cover and refrigerate until ready to use.

ARTICHOKES AND AIOLI SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large kettle, combine 3 cups water with olive oil, lemon slices, bay leaves, garlic, salt and pepper and bring to a boil Meanwhile, trim stalks from bases of artichokes, cut a 1" slice from tops.
• Remove descolored leaves, snip off the spiky ends.
• Wash the artichokes in cold water and drain.
• Place artichokes in bottom of kettle, standing on base.
• Bring back to boiling, reduce heat and simmer, covered 40-50 minutes, or until artichoke bases feel soft.
• While the artichokes are cooking, Soak bread in milk for 10 minutes; squeeze hard to remove all milk.
• Place bread and garlic in food processor; blend 10 seconds or until mixture forms a paste Add egg yolks, blend until egg mixture is thick, about 10 seconds.
• Add olive oil, 1` Tbs at a time, blending constantly after each addition until thick.
• Continue until all oil has been used.
• Mixture should be thick.
• Add lemon juice, salt and pepper; blend a few seconds more to mix well.
• Refrigerate, tightly covered.
• Drain artichokes well.
• Let cool slightly.
• Using finger, pull out leaves at center.
• With teaspoon, remove hair choke from cavity.
• Serve artichokes, warm or cold with Aioli Sauce in cavity in center.