Creole Gratin Of Oysters And Artichoke Recipes

ARTICHOKE AND PEA GRATIN

Steps:

• Whisk 1 tablespoon each butter and flour in an ovenproof skillet over medium-high heat, 1 minute. Add 1 1/4 cups low-fat milk; whisk until boiling. Stir in a 9-ounce package thawed frozen artichoke hearts, 1 cup thawed frozen peas and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and lemon zest; bring to a simmer. Top with grated parmesan and broil until golden.

GRATIN OF YOUNG ARTICHOKES AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Fill a medium bowl with water and add the lemon juice. Set aside. With a sharp, serrated knife, cut about 1/2 inch off the medium ones. Pull off and discard the tough, green outer leaves to expose the pale green hearts. Trim the dark stem end of each artichoke. Quarter the small artichoke hearts, or cut the medium hearts lengthwise into 8 wedges. With a small spoon or your fingers, scrape out any prickly inner leaves. As you work, drop the artichokes into the lemon water to prevent browning.
• Spread the bread crumbs in a single layer on a light-colored baking sheet (a dark surface tends to overbrown them). Toast in the oven until lightly browned, stirring once or twice, 3 to 5 minutes. Set aside. Set oven temperature to 425 degrees F.
• In a large nonstick skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over medium heat. Add the onions and cook, stirring often, for 3 minutes. Add the garlic and cook, stirring constantly, 2 minutes. Add the toasted bread crumbs and stir well to combine. Remove the skillet from the heat and add the olives, parsley, salt, and pepper, stirring well to combine. Set aside.
• Brush a shallow 12 X 8-inch baking dish with half the remaining oil. Drain the artichokes and pat dry with paper towels. Arrange one-third of the onion mixture in the prepared dish. Spread half the drained artichokes over the onion mixture. Repeat, ending with the remaining third of the onion mixture. Pour the broth carefully around the edges of the dish. Season the top lightly with salt and pepper, then drizzle with the remaining 1 tablespoon oil.
• Cover the baking dish tightly with foil and bake for 20 minutes. Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Cook until artichokes are almost cooked through and tender, about 10 minutes for the small, 15 to 20 minutes for the medium. Uncover the dish and bake for 10 minutes, or until the artichokes are tender when pierced with the tip of a sharp knife and the top is browned. (If the mixture appears too dry, add more broth as necessary around the edges of the dish.) Let cool slightly. Serve warm.

ARTICHOKE AND OYSTER CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Fill a large pot with lightly salted water and add lemon juice. Bring to a boil, add artichokes and cook until artichokes are tender when pierced with a knife through the bottom, 30 to 40 minutes. Drain and allow to cool. Scrape fleshy part of each leaf into a bowl, discarding leaves. Using a small spoon or knife, remove prickly choke at center of base, then cut base into large chunks, adding it to bowl.
• In a large skillet over medium-low heat, melt 4 tablespoons butter. Add mushrooms and sauté just until mushrooms are tender and have released their liquid; do not allow pan to dry. Immediately transfer mushrooms and any liquid to a small bowl.
• Place a large skillet over medium-low heat and add 8 tablespoons butter. When butter has melted, add flour and stir until mixture is lightly browned. Add scallions, oysters and their liquor, and salt and pepper to taste. Simmer until oysters are firm, about 10 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a 9- to 10-inch round shallow baking pan or pie plate, spread artichoke pieces. Top with oyster mixture and mushrooms. Spread with an even layer of bread crumbs. Dot with small pieces of remaining 1 tablespoon butter. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Serve hot on small plates.

CREOLE GRATIN OF OYSTERS AND ARTICHOKE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Coat an oval gratin dish (about 12 by 8 inches) with butter or oil.
• Heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. When it shimmers, add the crushed red pepper, red onion, celery, and garlic and cook until the onion turns clear. Add the sherry and bring to a boil for about a minute. Then add the thyme, salt and pepper, Tabasco, and cream. Return to a boil. Sprinkle in the flour and lightly whisk into the sauce.
• Lower the heat and add the tomato, lemon juice, artichokes, oysters, and parsley. Agitate the pan to mix all the ingredients, then remove from the heat.
• Pour the oyster mixture into the gratin dish. Sprinkle the top with bread crumbs, then Swiss cheese, and finally paprika. Lower the oven to 375 degrees and bake the gratin about 25 minutes, till it bubbles around the edges and the top is browned.