Artichokes Stuffed With Pancetta And Parsley Recipes

THE BEST STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cut top 1/4 of an artichoke off and discard. Trim off the top 1/2 inch from remaining leaves. Cut off bottom inch from stalk to create a flat bottom. Turn artichoke upside down and bang on surface to loosen the leaves. Zest 3/4 teaspoon of lemon zest from the lemon and set aside. Cut lemon in half and rub cut leaves and stem of artichoke with lemon. Repeat artichoke prep with remaining artichokes.
• Combine reserved lemon zest with bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and stir well.
• Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly into all the artichoke leaves, avoiding the thistle leaves in the direct center. Work mixture evenly into each crevice of each artichoke until all of the mixture is used.
• Pour water in the bottom of a Dutch oven. Add remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Set artichokes in the pot so that they are touching, so that they may remain upright during cooking. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until the leaves release very easily, about 1 hour.
• Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with more parsley if desired. Serve warm or room temperature.

ARTICHOKES STUFFED WITH PANCETTA AND PARSLEY

Steps:

• Squeeze juice from 1 lemon into large bowl of cold water; add 2 lemon halves. Cut stem off 1 artichoke; cut stem into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Place rounds in lemon water. Starting at base of artichoke, bend outer leaves back; snap off where leaves break naturally, leaving tender yellow-green leaves attached. Using vegetable peeler, trim outside of base until no dark green areas remain. Rub cut surfaces with remaining lemon halves. Cut off top half of artichoke. Pull out purple-tipped leaves from center. Using spoon, scoop out fibrous choke. Place artichoke in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes.
• Drain artichokes and stems. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in heavy large skillet over medium heat. Add artichokes and stem rounds. Cook until artichokes are golden, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from heat. Transfer stem rounds to small bowl.
• Mix pancetta and parsley in bowl; spoon into artichokes. Drizzle 1 tablespoon oil over artichokes in skillet. Add 2/3 cup water; bring to boil. Cover; cook artichokes over medium-low heat until cooking liquid is reduced by about half, about 25 minutes. Add stem rounds; cook about 2 minutes. Serve artichokes surrounded by stem rounds and cooking liquid.
• *Pancetta, Italian bacon cured in salt, is available at Italian markets and some specialty foods stores.