Atkins Artichokes With Three Cheeses Recipes

THREE CHEESE AND ARTICHOKE CALZONES

Steps:

• Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Lightly sprinkle a heavy nonstick baking sheet with cornmeal. Set aside.
• In the bowl of the food processor, add the artichoke hearts, Pecorino Romano, ricotta, fontina, sun-dried tomatoes, lemon juice, salt, pepper and lemon zest. Pulse until combined and chunky.
• Using a knife, cut the pizza dough into quarters. On a lightly floured surface, roll out the dough into four 6-inch circles, each about 1/4-inch thick. Using a pastry brush, brush the dough with the egg white. Place a quarter of the filling on one side of each circle of dough. Fold the dough over the filling, forming a half circle. Pinch the edges of dough firmly together and crimp to seal. Place the prepared individual calzone on the prepared baking sheet.
• Drizzle the calzones with extra-virgin olive oil. Sprinkle lightly with salt and pepper. Using a sharp knife, cut a slit on the top of each calzone. Bake until golden brown and the filling is bubbling, 30 to 35 minutes. Serve alongside warmed tomato-basil sauce.

DEEP-FRIED BABY ARTICHOKES STUFFED WITH PEPPER JACK CHEESE

Steps:

• Trim and cook artichokes:
• Squeeze juice from 1 lemon half into a large bowl of water, then drop same half into water.
• Cut off artichoke stems and discard. Cut off top 1/2 inch of 1 artichoke with a serrated knife. Bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base, then discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until you reach pale yellow leaves with pale green tips. Cut off green tips.
• Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and sides of artichoke with a sharp paring knife, then rub cut surfaces with other lemon half. Drop artichoke into acidulated water.
• Trim remaining artichokes in same manner.
• Put 2 quarts water in a 4-quart pot and whisk in flour. Whisk in oil, salt, and remaining tablespoon lemon juice and bring to a simmer.
• Add trimmed artichokes and simmer, partially covered, until just tender when pierced with a knife, 8 to 12 minutes. Drain in a colander, then invert onto paper towels to drain thoroughly. Pat dry.
• When artichokes are cool enough to handle, pull out all pointed inner leaves and scoop out fuzzy choke with melon-ball cutter.
• Stuff and fry artichokes:
• Heat 2 inches oil in a 4-quart heavy pot over moderate heat until thermometer registers 350°F.
• While oil is heating, stuff each artichoke with 2 packed teaspoons cheese, pressing leaves around cheese.
• Put eggs and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls and divide salt and pepper between them, stirring them in. Dip each artichoke in egg, turning to coat and letting excess drip off, then in crumbs, turning to coat. Transfer to a tray.
• Fry artichokes in 2 batches (returning oil to 350°F between batches) until golden brown, about 2 minutes. Transfer artichokes as fried to paper towels to drain, then cut in half.

ARTICHOKES WITH GARLIC, CHIVES AND CHEESE

Steps:

• Stir lemon juice into a large pot of water. Remove outer leaves from artichokes. Cut each artichoke in half vertically, then use a paring knife to remove inner core, with all purple leaves and fuzz. Pull off remaining leaves except for a couple of soft inner layers. Pare base and stems down to the flesh. Drop each artichoke into pot of water as it is trimmed. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer and cook 15 to 18 minutes, until tender. Drain artichokes and place on paper towel to cool.
• Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add garlic and chives. Cook, stirring occasionally, until butter and garlic begin to brown, 5 to 8 minutes. Remove from heat.
• Heat the broiler. Place artichokes, cut side up, in a shallow baking dish that can go to the table. Season with salt and place under broiler. When edges start to brown, spoon bread crumbs over artichokes, then garlic butter, then cheese. Place back under broiler for about a minute, until cheese softens but has not melted.

ATKINS ARTICHOKES WITH THREE CHEESES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F Arrange artichoke hearts in a single layer on the bottom of an 11 x 7-inch, 2 quart baking dish. Spread garlic over artichokes. Add broth to baking dish. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice. Sprinkle with parsley and basil. Cover evenly with the cheeses, ending with the parmigiano. Cover with foil and bake until artichokes are tender and cheeses are melted, about 15 minutes. Uncover and bake until cheese is lightly golden and slightly crusty, about 25 minutes more. Remove from oven and cool. Serve warm or at room temperature.

ARTICHOKES BAKED WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to a temperature of 350 degrees. Arrange the artichokes standing up in a shallow baking dish.
• Mix the goat cheese with the garlic, chives, parsley and with salt and pepper to taste. Then spoon the goat cheese-garlic-herb mixture into the center of each artichoke. Afterward, sprinkle the filling with the bread crumbs.
• Mix the lemon juice with the olive oil and brush over and inside the artichokes. Put in the oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or just until the artichokes and the filling have been heated through. Serve at once.

ARTICHOKE BITES III

Steps:

• In a bowl, mix together the Parmesan cheese and parsley. Set aside.
• In a separate bowl, stir together the cream cheese, goat cheese, lemon zest, tarragon, and pepper until well blended and smooth. Gently fold in the artichoke hearts, being careful not to break pieces apart. Toss artichoke pieces into Parmesan and parsley until thoroughly coated.
• Transfer artichoke pieces to a wax paper-lined baking sheet. Cover, and refrigerate for 1 hour, or until firm. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving. Serve slightly chilled.

ARTICHOKES WITH GOAT CHEESE

Steps:

• Bring large pot of water to boil. Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice to water. Add artichokes and cook until tender, about 25 minutes. Drain well. Cool completely. Using small spoon and keeping artichokes intact, carefully remove tiny center leaves and chokes.
• Mix goat cheese, cream, 2 teaspoons thyme and garlic in small bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Spoon mixture into center of artichokes, dividing equally. Place each artichoke in center of square piece of foil large enough to cover artichoke completely. Gather foil up around artichoke, twisting top of foil to secure. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Refrigerate.)
• Preheat oven to 400°F. Place artichokes on baking sheet and bake until heated through, about 15 minutes. Melt butter in heavy small skillet. Add olive oil and remaining 6 tablespoons lemon juice and bring to simmer. Remove from heat and stir in remaining 1 teaspoon thyme. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Unwrap artichokes. Place each in center of plate. Drizzle butter mixture around each and serve.

ARTICHOKE HEARTS AU GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Lightly spray a shallow baking dish or glass pie plate with cooking spray.
• Arrange artichoke hearts in the bottom of dish. Drizzle 1/4 cup salad dressing over artichokes.
• Bake in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove, spread cheese over the top, and drizzle with remaining 1/4 cup salad dressing. Return to oven, and bake until cheese is melted and bubbly, about 10 minutes. Turn off oven. Sprinkle fried onions over the top, and return to oven for 1 minute.