Grilled Baby Artichokes With Mixed Herbs Vinaigrette Recipes

GRILLED BABY ARTICHOKES WITH CAPER-MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• Make sauce:
• Stir together all sauce ingredients with pepper to taste. Trim and cook artichokes: Combine 1 qt cold water and lemon juice in a large bowl. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base and discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until exposed leaves are pale green at top and pale yellow at base. Trim pointed tips of leaves with kitchen shears, then cut a thin slice from end of stem to expose a fresh cross section. Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and stem of artichoke, being careful not to break off stem. Halve artichoke lengthwise. Remove fuzzy center and any pointed inner leaves. Put in bowl of lemon water.
• Drain artichokes, then cook in a large pot of boiling salted water (1 Tbsp salt for 5 qt water) until tender, about 8 minutes. Drain and transfer to an ice bath to stop cooking. Drain well.
• Grill artichokes:
• Prepare a grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium-high heat for gas).
• Toss artichokes with oil in a bowl. Oil grill rack, then grill artichokes, cut sides down, covered only if using a gas grill, turning once, until golden brown in spots, 6 to 8 minutes. Serve drizzled with sauce.

ARTICHOKE VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Trim the sharp tips of the outside artichoke leaves with a sharp knife. Cut off the top of the artichoke about 1-inch and remove the stem so that the bottom is flat. Wash the artichoke in cold water and rub all cut surfaces with some of the fresh lemon juice and pulp.
• (A round slice of lemon may be tied to the bottom of the artichoke to prevent oxidation of the base.)
• Bring water to a boil, add the salt and the remaining pieces of the lemon, rind and all, and place the artichokes base down. Cover the pot and bring the water to the boil again before lowering the heat to a simmer. Cook the artichoke at a steady simmer for 35 to 45 minutes or until a leaf pulls easily free from the center. Allow to cool for 10 minutes in the water, remove cool to room temperature. When cool some of the cooking juices may be drizzled over the top of the artichokes.
• In a stainless steel bowl combine the vinegar, mustard, herbs, salt and pepper and whisk to emulsify. Add the oil in a small steady stream until all the oil has been incorporated and the dressing has achieved a silky, smooth texture. The dressing may be stored, covered, for up to two weeks in the refrigerator, but should be brought to room temperature before using.
• Serve the artichoke with some vinaigrette on the side as a dip for each leaf or drizzled over the heart.

GRILLED BABY ARTICHOKES WITH OLIVE OIL AND LEMON

Steps:

• Squeeze juice from lemon into bowl of cold water. Cut stem off 1 artichoke, leaving about 1 inch. Snap off bottom 3 rows of leaves. Cut off tip of artichoke. Halve artichoke lengthwise. Scrape out choke. Place in lemon water. Repeat with remaining artichokes.
• Bring large pot of salted water to boil. Add artichokes and boil until crisp-tender, about 6 minutes. Drain; pat dry.
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Mix oil and 1/3 cup lemon juice in small bowl. Brush artichokes with some of dressing. Grill until tender and charred in spots, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to large bowl. Mix in dressing. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer artichokes to platter. Pour dressing into small bowl. Serve artichokes warm or at room temperature, offering dressing alongside. (Can be made 4 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.)

HERBED GRILLED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Fill a stockpot to half full with water. Stir Italian seasoning, basil, thyme, liquid smoke, olive oil, salt, and white wine into water. Squeeze the lemon wedges over the mixture and drop the wedge into the pot. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat; add the artichoke halves and continue to boil until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove artichokes from water and drain upside down on paper towel; allow to cool to the touch. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil grate.
• Lightly coat the cooled artichoke halves with cooking spray. Cook artichoke halves on grill until edges are slightly charred. Drizzle with melted butter to serve.

BABY ARTICHOKES WITH WARM VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Fill a small stockpot with water, and add 2 teaspoons salt and 2 tablespoons olive oil. Cut the lemon in half, squeeze juice into water, and add squeezed halves. Remove tough outer leaves of artichokes, and pare down stems using a vegetable peeler. Add artichokes to acidulated water, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer, and cook until leaves are easily removed and heart is tender when pierced with a knife, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain in a colander, and set aside.
• Place 1 teaspoon olive oil in a small saute pan over medium-low heat, and add the chopped shallot. Saute until translucent, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat, and add mustard, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, pepper, and red-wine vinegar. Slowly whisk in remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil. Serve reserved artichokes with the warm vinaigrette on the side for dipping.