Sausage Stuffed Artichokes With Aioli Recipes

SAUSAGE STUFFED ARTICHOKES WITH AIOLI

Steps:

• To prepare the artichokes: Fill a large pot with water and add the 2 tablespoons salt and the lemon halves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Add the artichokes, cover, and cook for 35 minutes. A large leaf should come off when gently pulled. Set aside and let cool slightly. When cool enough to handle, halve the artichokes down the middle lengthwise. With a spoon or melon baller, carefully scoop out the choke and prickly thorns. Drizzle oil on both the insides and outside leaves of the artichokes. Season with salt and pepper.
• To prepare the sausage stuffing: Combine the bread crumbs, garlic, mint, cheese, cooked onion and sausage in a large mixing bowl. Drizzle with oil to moisten until the stuffing binds together; season with salt and pepper.
• Preheat an outdoor grill or stovetop grill pan. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Place the artichokes, cut side down, on the hot grill. Cook for 3 minutes and then turn gently with tongs. Grill the other side for 2 minutes. Spoon the stuffing into the cavities of the artichokes. Drizzle with a little more oil. Place the artichokes in the oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes until lightly browned. In the meantime, make the aioli.
• To prepare the aioli: In a blender, combine the egg yolks, garlic, capers, red pepper flakes and lemon; season with salt and pepper. Blend on medium-high speed and very slowly pour the oil through the pouring hole. If the aioli is too thick, add water. Refrigerate while grilling.
• To serve: Put the stuffed artichokes on a platter with the aioli on the side for dipping.

THE BEST STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cut top 1/4 of an artichoke off and discard. Trim off the top 1/2 inch from remaining leaves. Cut off bottom inch from stalk to create a flat bottom. Turn artichoke upside down and bang on surface to loosen the leaves. Zest 3/4 teaspoon of lemon zest from the lemon and set aside. Cut lemon in half and rub cut leaves and stem of artichoke with lemon. Repeat artichoke prep with remaining artichokes.
• Combine reserved lemon zest with bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, garlic, 2 teaspoons salt, and pepper in a medium bowl and stir well.
• Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly into all the artichoke leaves, avoiding the thistle leaves in the direct center. Work mixture evenly into each crevice of each artichoke until all of the mixture is used.
• Pour water in the bottom of a Dutch oven. Add remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Set artichokes in the pot so that they are touching, so that they may remain upright during cooking. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cover and cook until the leaves release very easily, about 1 hour.
• Let stand for 10 to 15 minutes before serving. Sprinkle with more parsley if desired. Serve warm or room temperature.