Balsamic Grilled Artichokes Recipes

ROASTED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Prepare artichokes. Remove the tough outer leaves of the artichokes and trim the stems. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the tough outer green layer from the stem. Cut off the top third of the head to remove the tough ends of the leaves, then split it down the middle. Rub with lemon as you work so they don't turn brown.
• Mix together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper and garlic. Lay the artichoke halves cut-side up in a roasting dish and drizzle with the olive oil mixture. Roast in the oven until the artichokes are tender, about 20 minutes.
• To serve, top with the cheese and garnish with the parsley.

BALSAMIC GRILLED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Remove any tough leaves on the outer layer from the artichokes. With a sharp knife or kitchen scissors, trim the top and end of each artichoke, and clip the spiny ends from the rest of the leaves. Rinse thoroughly under cool running water to remove any dirt. Steam artichokes in a large pot - if you do not have a steamer insert, simply poke holes in a tin pie plate, invert and place in bottom of pot. In a dire emergency, wad up pieces of tin foil and place in the bottom of the pot so that the artichokes will not rest on the bottom of the pot. Add water just to the base of the stems, season with a teaspoon of olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon of salt, and a slice of fresh lemon. Bring to a boil; reduce heat so that water simmers enough to give off plenty of steam. Be careful not to let your pot run dry. Artichokes are done when a leaf pulls off easily, or when a fork can be easily inserted into the stem. Remove artichokes from pot; allow to cool until safe to handle. Cut artichokes in half lengthwise; scrape out the fuzz and any smaller purple-tipped leaves with a spoon. Place artichokes in a large re-sealable freezer bag. Seal bag and gently "shake" bag so that artichoke halves are thoroughly coated with marinade - be careful not to break apart the artichokes. Allow to marinate at least an hour; for a richer flavor, allow to marinate overnight. Drain artichokes; reserve marinade. Heat grill to medium; place artichokes cut-side down and grill for 5-7 minutes. Turn, and baste with remaining marinade. Grill for another 3-4 minutes or until the tips are lightly charred.

GRILLED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill to medium heat.
• Break off the artichokes' small outside leaves. Cut off the top with a knife and trim the sharp points of the leaves with scissors, rubbing with cut lemon as you go to avoid discoloration. Squeeze the lemon halves into a bowl of cold water, soak the artichokes for 10 minutes, then wash with cold water to remove sand.
• Place artichokes in a large steamer insert over simmering water and steam until heart is tender, about 25 to 35 minutes depending upon size. Allow to cool. Cut in half lengthwise and remove choke with a spoon.
• Meanwhile, in a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter with the olive oil. Stir in the white wine and lemon juice, keep warm.
• Grill the artichokes, basting with the butter mixture, until until golden on the surface and heated through, about 5 to 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with the Spicy Smoked Tomato Mayonnaise.
• Special equipment: smoker/dehydrator
• Chef's Note: If you do not have access to a smoker/dehydrator, you can substitute 4 sun-dried tomatoes and 2 teaspoons ancho or pasilla powder for the tomatoes and pasillas, eliminating the tomatoes and pasilla peppers from the recipe.
• Dry the tomatoes and pasilla peppers in an oak smoker/dehydrator overnight.
• Preheat an outdoor grill, preferably wood fired with oak wood, for indirect heat cooking.
• Wrap garlic and onions loosely in 2 separate foil packets and roast/grill over indirect heat until they are soft, being careful not to burn them. The garlic should take about 1 to 1 1/2 hours; the onions should take about 30 to 45 minutes.
• In a food processor, puree the smoked pasilla peppers and tomatoes with the garlic and onions. Add the cayenne, chili powder, paprika and salt. Mix in the mayonnaise. Leftover mayonnaise will keep, refrigerated, for up to 3 or 4 days.
• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 1 to 1 1/2 hours
• Inactive Prep Time: 8 hours

GRILLED GARLIC ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with cold water. Squeeze the juice from one lemon wedge into the water. Trim the tops from the artichokes, then cut in half lengthwise, and place halves into the bowl of lemon water to prevent them from turning brown.
• Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Meanwhile, preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat.
• Add artichokes to boiling water, and cook for about 15 minutes. Drain. Squeeze the remaining lemon wedges into a medium bowl. Stir in the olive oil and garlic, and season with salt and pepper.
• Brush the artichokes with a coating of the garlic dip, and place them on the preheated grill. Grill the artichokes for 5 to 10 minutes, basting with dip and turning frequently, until the tips are a little charred. Serve immediately with the remaining dip.

GRILLED ARTICHOKES WITH WHOLE GARLIC BULBS

Steps:

• Remove papery skin from garlic heads. Slice off top quarter of each head to expose the clove ends, leaving heads whole.
• Cut lemon in half and squeeze juice into a large bowl filled with water.
• Cut off the end of stem and top quarter of each artichoke. With scissors, cut off prickly points on the ends of leaves. Quarter artichokes, remove the choke and immediately immerse artichokes in lemon water to keep them from turning brown. Put a plate on top of artichokes to keep them from bobbing to the surface.
• Cut six sheets of heavy-duty foil about 12 inches square. In each one place a garlic bulb and four artichoke quarters, which have been lifted directly from the water without being drained.
• Put a tablespoon of butter onto each artichoke, sprinkle with oil and top with a sprig of fresh thyme or 1/3 teaspoon dried thyme. Season with salt and pepper to taste. As if wrapping a gift, pull two sides of the foil together so that they overlap, then roll up the ends of the other two sides so that juices are sealed in.
• Put foil packets on grill over hot coals and cook for about 40 minutes, turning several times. Serve directly from foil.

BALSAMIC ASPARAGUS AND ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Steam asparagus in batches vegetable steamer for 5-10 minutes each batch; time depending on the thickness of your asparagus stems.
• Meanwhile, stir fry frozen peppers in nonstick pan until warm and soft. Spoon out any extra liquid.
• Drain and rinse artichoke hearts. Chop coarsely and toss with peppers in medium bowl. Drizzle with balsamic vinaigrette to taste.
• Put mixture in refrigerator until cool.
• Cool asparagus and refrigerate until ready to serve.
• To serve, put pepper mixture on plate and neatly place asparagus on top. Drizzle with more balsamic vinaigrette.

GRILLED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Slice artichoke tops off, crosswise. Trim Stems.
• Boil or steam artichokes until bottoms pierce easily, or a petal pulls off easily.
• Drain artichokes. Cool. Cut each artichoke in half lengthwise and scrape out fuzzy center and any purple tipped petals.
• Mix remaining ingredients in a large plastic bag. Place artichokes in the bag and coat all sides of the artichokes. For best flavor marinate in the mixture overnight in the refrigerator but should marinate at least one hour.
• Drain artichokes. Place cut side down on a grill over a solid bed of medium coals or gas grill on medium. Grill until lightly browned on the cut side, 5 to 7 minutes. Turn artichokes over and drizzle some of the remaining marinade over the artichokes. Grill until petal tips are lightly charred, 3 to 4 minutes more.
• Serve hot or room temperature.