Artichokes Basted With Anchovy Butter Recipes

GARLIC ANCHOVY ARTICHOKE HEARTS

Steps:

• Trim artichokes into hearts:
• Halve 1 lemon and add halves to a large bowl of cold water, squeezing to release juice.
• Cut off top inch of 1 artichoke with a serrated knife and bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base (keep stem attached). Discard several more layers in same manner until you reach pale yellow leaves.
• Cut remaining leaves flush with top of artichoke bottom with serrated knife. Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and side of artichoke with a paring knife.
• Trim end of stem to expose core, then peel side of stem down to pale inner core. Put in lemon water while preparing remaining artichokes.
• Remove 3 (3- by 1-inch) strips of zest from remaining lemon with a vegetable peeler and squeeze enough juice to measure 1 tablespoon. Bring water (1 cup), oil, zest, and lemon juice to a simmer in a 3- to 5-quart pot wide enough to fit artichoke hearts in 1 layer. Stand artichokes in pot and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Cover artichokes with a round of parchment paper, then a lid, and simmer over medium-low heat until just tender when pierced with a knife, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Transfer artichokes to a dish and reserve braising liquid. When artichokes are cool enough to handle, halve lengthwise. Scoop out and discard inner chokes (fuzzy center and any sharp leaves). Cut each half into 2 pieces.
• Assemble and bake artichokes:
• Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in upper third. Butter a 2 1/2 to 3-quart shallow baking dish.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then cook anchovies and half of garlic, stirring and mashing anchovies into oil with a wooden spoon, until garlic is golden, about 30 seconds. Add artichokes and gently stir until coated. Spoon mixture into baking dish and drizzle with 1/2 cup braising liquid and lemon juice.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in same skillet over medium heat and cook remaining garlic, stirring, until pale golden, about 30 seconds. Stir in breadcrumbs and salt and pepper to taste and remove from heat. Stir in cheese and parsley. Sprinkle crumb mixture over top of artichokes and drizzle with a little more oil. Bake until topping is golden, 8 to 10 minutes.

ROASTED ARTICHOKES WITH ANCHOVY MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Prepare the artichokes: Fill a large bowl with cold water. Cut the lemon into quarters, and squeeze the juice from each quarter into the water. (This acidulated water will keep the artichokes from discoloring.)
• Snap off a few of the tough outer leaves (bracts) near the stem of each artichoke. Cut each artichoke in half from top to bottom, and lay the halves cut-side down on a cutting board.
• Using a sharp vegetable peeler and working one half at a time, trim the rough edges and the stems. Cut 1/4 inch from the bottom of the stem and 1/2 inch from the top of each half. Turn the halves over and use a teaspoon or melon baller to remove the hairy "choke." Place trimmed artichoke halves in the lemon water. Leave them in the lemon water until ready to cook.
• Heat oven to 425 degrees. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add drained artichoke halves and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove and place artichoke halves cut-side up in a stainless steel roasting pan or ceramic baking dish, in one layer.
• Tuck thyme sprigs under artichokes, and sprinkle artichokes with salt and pepper. Drizzle generously with olive oil, about 1 1/2 teaspoons per halved artichoke. Bake, uncovered and brushing with oil from the pan occasionally, until nicely browned, 30 to 40 minutes.
• As artichokes roast, make the anchovy mayonnaise: Put mayonnaise in a bowl and stir in chopped anchovies and capers, lemon zest and juice, garlic, cayenne and a little salt and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning.
• When artichokes are ready, transfer to a serving platter or individual plates. Brush lightly with oil from the pan. Sprinkle with parsley and serve anchovy mayonnaise and lemon wedges, if you like, on the side.

ARTICHOKES BASTED WITH ANCHOVY BUTTER

Steps:

• 1. Preheat all grates of a well-oiled charcoal or gas grill to high.
• 2. Combine all of the butter ingredients together and set aside.
• 3. Cut off the thorny ends of the artichokes with scissors and then cut the artichokes lengthwise in half. Rub the cut sides of the artichokes with a lemon half and place, cut side down, on a sheet pan. Add enough lightly salted water, 2 to 3 cups, to come 1/4 inch up the sides of the artichokes.
• Place the pan with the artichokes directly on the grate, reduce the heat to medium-high if you can (those cooking on coals won't be able to, and must monitor the water level especially closely), close the lid, and cook, adding water as needed to maintain the level at 1/4 inch. Cook until tender when pierced with a paring knife, about 30 minutes.
• 4. Carefully remove the pan from the grill. Using a spoon, scoop the fuzzy choke from each of the halves. Transfer the cleaned halves to a new sheet pan.
• Using your hands or a brush, evenly, but lightly, coat both sides of the artichokes with canola oil.
• 5. Place the artichokes, cut side down, on the grate andn grill until well marked and lightly charred, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and repeat on the second side, grilling for 2 to 3 minutes.
• While still cut side up, place about 1/2 tablespoon of butter in each of the cavities and allow it to melt.
• Squeeze lemon juice over the top and sprinkle with parsley and fleur de sel.
• 6. Remove theth artichokes from the grill and arrange on a serving platter.