Braised Baby Artichokes With Olives Recipes

BRAISED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with water. Cut 2 lemons in half and squeeze both lemon halves into the water, then drop in the halves.
• Trim the tough dark green skin from the stem of the artichoke if there is a stem, and remove the tough outer leaves until lovely gentle spring green is revealed, it should only be a couple of layers. Cut the artichokes in half lengthwise and toss into the lemon (acidulated) water. Artichokes will turn brown before your eyes, so it is important to have the acidulated water set up before 1 leaf is removed from the artichoke.
• Coat a large straight-sided saute pan over medium heat, generously with olive oil and add the smashed garlic cloves and crushed red pepper. When the garlic cloves are golden brown and aromatic, remove them. They have fulfilled their garlic destiny.Add the anchovy fillets and let them melt into a saucy consistency before adding the prepared artichokes to the pan along with the lemon halves. Pour in the white wine, add the thyme bundle and season with salt, to taste. Bring to a boil and add enough water to cover the artichokes (shouldn't be much water). Cover the pan and simmer until the artichokes are very soft, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the lid and let the liquid reduce until it is less than halfway up the sides of the artichokes. Remove the thyme bundle. Taste to check for seasoning and readjust, if necessary, (you probably will). Finish by tossing in the chopped parsley. Transfer the artichokes to a serving bowl and serve topped with Parmigiano-Reggiano shavings.
• Yay! What a side dish!

BRAISED BABY ARTICHOKES WITH OLIVES

Steps:

• Trim baby artichokes: Bend back the outer green leaves and snap them off at the base until leaves are half green (at the top) and half yellow (at the bottom). Cut off stems and across top of each artichoke at point where yellow meets green. Cut each artichoke lengthwise in half.
• In 12-inch skillet, heat 1 inch water to boiling over high heat. Add artichokes and cook 5 minutes; drain.
• Dry skillet. In same skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook until lightly browned. Add artichokes; brown 2 minutes. Stir in salt, pepper, and 1 cup water; cook, covered, until artichokes are tender, about 5 minutes longer or until knife inserted in bottom of artichoke goes through easily. Stir in olives; heat through. To serve, spoon into bowl; garnish with lemon wedges.

BRAISED BABY ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a large bowl with water. Halve 1 lemon, squeeze the juice into the water and drop both halves into the bowl.
• Cut off the top quarter of the artichokes with a serrated knife. Peel the tough dark green skin from the stems using a paring knife and remove the tough outer leaves until the tender inner green leaves are revealed; it should be only a couple of layers. Cut the artichokes in half lengthwise and toss into the lemon water.
• Zest and juice the remaining 2 lemons and reserve. Coat a large straight-sided skillet generously with olive oil and add the garlic, anchovies and red pepper flakes. Cook over medium heat, stirring, until the garlic is very aromatic and the anchovies have dissolved, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Remove the artichokes from the water and add them to the pan along with the reserved lemon zest and juice, the white wine and thyme. Season with salt and add just enough water to cover the artichokes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Cover the pan and cook until the artichokes are very soft, 10 to 15 minutes. Remove the lid and let the liquid reduce until it comes less than halfway up the sides of the arties, about 10 minutes.
• Remove the thyme and toss in the parsley. Swirl and stir to combine. Taste for seasoning and adjust if you need to (you probably will). Put the artichokes on a rimmed serving platter or in a bowl. Use a vegetable peeler to shave the parmigiano on top.

ARTICHOKES BRAISED WITH OLIVES AND MINT

Steps:

• Fill a bowl with water and add the fresh lemon juice. Remove the outer leaves of the artichokes and cut off the tops of the inner, more tender leaves. Discard. Cut the stem from the inner crown. Rub the cut pieces with lemon and place in the lemon water.With a small paring knife, remove the darker green, outer layer from the stems and bottom of the crowns and discard. Scrape the choke from the inner crown and discard. Return the cut pieces to the lemon water.Remove the pieces from the lemon water, pat dry, quarter the artichoke crowns and cut the stems in half.
• In a large, wide saute pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the whole garlic clove and toast in the oil until fragrant and golden brown. Add the bay leaves and sprigs of fresh thyme, saute for a few minutes. Add the red chile flakes. Remove the garlic clove and discard.Lay the cut stems and crowns in the olive oil. Season the artichokes with salt to taste. Gently brown the artichokes, taking care to rotate to promote even cooking about 5 to 6 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the olives, anchovy fillets and tomato confit. Pour in the white wine. Braise the artichokes over medium-low heat until tender and cooked through, about 15 minutes.
• Once the artichokes are cooked, remove from the heat. Chop and add the mint leaves and serve immediately.