Artichoke Hearts à La Grècque Recipes

ROSE'S BAKED ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Combine breadcrumbs, parsley, cheeses, herbs, and salt in a medium bowl, and season with pepper.
• Brush oil inside two 4-cup, 9 1/2-inch ceramic baking dishes or one 9-by-13-inch glass baking dish. Divide artichoke hearts between dishes, and spread into a single layer. Sprinkle breadcrumb mixture over artichokes, pushing it into cracks between hearts. Tap bottom of dishes on counter to settle breadcrumb mixture.
• Whisk oil, lemon juice and zest, and garlic in a small bowl. Drizzle dressing evenly over breadcrumb topping. Cover dishes with parchment, then foil, and bake for 30 minutes. Increase temperature to 375 degrees. Uncover, and bake until breadcrumbs are golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve immediately.

BRAISED GREEK ARTICHOKE BOTTOMS WITH LEMON AND OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Fill a bowl with water and add the juice of 1 lemon. Cut away the end of the stems of the artichokes, leaving about an inch. Break off the tough leaves around the bottom, and using a large, sharp chef's knife, cut away the tops about an inch above the widest part of the artichoke. Then trim the base by holding a paring knife at a 45-degree angle and turning the artichoke against the knife. You should end up with bare artichoke bottoms with no leaves and smooth sides. Peel the stems. Cut the artichoke bottom in half, scoop out the spiny inner leaves and the choke, and immediately plunge it into the bowl of acidulated water.
• Oil a large casserole. Drain the artichokes, take two halves and press them together to make a single artichoke, and place in the casserole, stem up. Repeat with the remaining artichokes, squeezing them into the pot with their stems facing up.
• Add enough water to the casserole to come a third of the way up the sides of the artichoke bottoms. Drizzle in the remaining lemon juice and the olive oil. Add salt to taste and sprinkle on the dill. Bring to a simmer, cover tightly and simmer over low heat for about 30 minutes, or until the artichokes are tender. Remove from the heat and allow to cool, then transfer to a platter. Discard the liquid in the pot. Serve cold or room temperature, garnished, if desired, with fresh dill.

FRIED ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Heat oil in a deep-fryer or heavy deep skillet to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• In a small bowl, whisk together eggs and milk. Place seasoned bread crumbs in a separate bowl. Dip artichoke hearts in the egg mixture, then roll in bread crumbs until they are fully covered.
• Deep-fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until deep golden brown. Remove to paper towels to drain excess oil. When all the pieces have been fried, place on a serving tray and sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.

GREEK CHICKEN WITH ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees fahrenheit.
• Rinse chicken pieces and pat dry.
• Put chicken in 13 x 9 x 2 inch baking dish.
• Whisk together remaining ingredients (except artichoke hearts and lemon slices) and pour evenly over chicken.
• Cook uncovered, spooning juices over chicken occasionally, for about 30 minutes.
• Turn chicken over and cook for 10 minutes more.
• Remove the pan from the oven, scatter artichoke heart among the chicken, and spoon cooking juices over them.
• Continue to cook for about 20 minutes more, basting once or twice more, until chicken is done (juices run clear when the thickest part of the largest piece is pierced).
• Remove pan from oven, garnish with lemon slices and a final quick grind of pepper, if you like, let rest about 5 minutes and serve.