Lemony Skewered Artichokes Recipes

LEMON BRAISED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Bring 1/2 cup each water and white wine, two 9-ounce packages frozen artichoke hearts, 3 wide strips lemon zest and 2 tablespoons each lemon juice and olive oil to a simmer in a large skillet; season with salt and pepper. Cover and cook, stirring halfway through, until the artichokes are tender, about 10 minutes. Uncover and add 2 minced garlic cloves and 2 tablespoons each olive oil and chopped parsley and mint. Cook, stirring, until the garlic softens, 1 to 2 more minutes.

ARTICHOKES WITH LEMON ROSEMARY SAUCE

Steps:

• Remove stems from artichokes and cut off the top third.
• Cut artichokes in half, lengthwise, and scrape out the woody"choke" (using a spoon or knife is good, but I like a tomato shark); trim away rough purple tips from inside.
• Remove the lower outermost leaves and trim the prickly part off the top of the remaining leaves.
• Rinse and drain artichokes.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet, and place artichokes cut-side-down in the pan.
• Add chicken broth and wine to the pan, then bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover, and cook for approximately 20 minutes, or until the artichokes are fork-tender.
• While the artichokes are cooking, prepare the sauce.
• Heat the butter in a small saucepan and add the rosemary and cook until lightly fragrant.
• Add half the remaining chicken broth, and stir to mix.
• In a small bowl, mix together the egg yolks, lemon juice, cornstarch, and remaining chicken broth.
• Pour a slight amount of hot broth into the eggs to temper it, whisking well.
• Return egg yolk mixture to the saucepan, and whisk over low heat until sauce thickens, about 5-8 minutes.
• Serve the sauce over the cooked artichokes, or as a dipping sauce, whichever you prefer.
• To eat artichokes, remove leaves and run the leaf through your closed teeth, bottom end first, scraping off the flesh.
• When all the leaves are gone, the remaining heart is totally edible.

ARTICHOKES BRAISED IN LEMON AND OLIVE OIL

Steps:

• Trim artichokes into hearts:
• Add lemon halves to a large bowl of cold water, squeezing to release juice.
• Cut off top inch of 1 artichoke and bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base (keep stem attached). Discard several more layers in same manner until you reach pale yellow leaves.
• Cut remaining leaves flush with top of artichoke bottom using a sharp knife. Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and sides of artichoke.
• Peel sides of stem down to pale inner core. Put in lemon water while preparing remaining artichokes.
• Cook shallots, carrot, garlic, and seeds in 1/4 cup oil in a 4-to 5-quart heavy pot (pot should be wide enough to hold artichokes in 1 layer with stems pointing upward) over medium heat, stirring occasionally, 3 minutes. Add water, zest, and 3 tablespoons lemon juice and bring to a simmer. Stand artichokes in pot and season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cover artichokes with wax paper, then a lid, and simmer over medium-low heat until bases are just tender when pierced with a knife, 20 to 30 minutes.
• Transfer artichokes to a dish and reserve cooking liquid. When artichokes are cool enough to handle, halve lengthwise. Scoop out and discard inner choke (fuzzy center and any sharp leaves).
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers, then brown cut sides of artichokes in 2 batches, about 2 minutes per batch, transferring to a serving dish. Add reserved cooking liquid to skillet along with remaining tablespoon lemon juice and remaining 2 tablespoons oil. Boil vigorously 3 minutes, then stir in parsley and pour over artichokes. Serve warm or at room temperature.