Steamed Globe Artichokes With Pecorino Vinaigrette And Fried Garlic Chips Recipes

STEAMED GLOBE ARTICHOKES WITH PECORINO VINAIGRETTE AND FRIED GARLIC CHIPS

Steps:

• Fill a medium bowl with water. Juice 1 lemon into water, and add rind. Trim artichoke stems to 1/2 inch, and remove tough outer leaves. Trim pointy tips of artichoke leaves using kitchen shears. Spread leaves apart to remove inner chokes by scraping with a small spoon. Transfer artichokes to lemon water as you work to prevent discoloration.
• Fill a large pot with 2 inches water. Juice 1 lemon into water; bring to a simmer. Fit pot with a steamer-basket insert. Place artichokes upright in steamer. Simmer, covered, until artichokes are very tender when pierced with a paring knife, about 30 minutes.
• Combine olive oil and garlic in a small saucepan over medium heat. Cook until garlic is pale gold. Strain garlic; reserve oil. Transfer garlic chips to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain.
• Add butter to saucepan, and melt over medium-low heat. Whisk in reserved oil, the cheese, and lemon zest and juice. Pour a pool of vinaigrette into center of each artichoke, and drizzle remainder over tops. Sprinkle with garlic chips, and season with pepper.

STEAMED ARTICHOKES WITH GRAINY MUSTARD AND BACON DRESSING

Steps:

• Make an ice-water bath: Fill a bowl with ice and water; set aside. Trim artichokes; snap off tough outer leaves. Cut in half, and cut off top quarter of artichoke. Snip remaining leaf tips with scissors. Trim bottom of stem; using a vegetable peeler, peel off tough outer skin. Spread leaves to gain easier access to choke; scoop out choke with a melon baller. Squeeze some lemon juice onto heart; squeeze more lemon juice into the ice bath; add lemon halves and artichoke halves to ice-water bath while preparing the rest.
• Fill a saucepan large enough to accommodate all artichokes with 2 inches of water. Add salt, peppercorns, thyme, garlic, and 2 tablespoons olive oil; bring to a simmer. Add artichokes, stem end up; cover saucepan. Steam until tender, about 25 minutes. Leaves should pull off easily; heart should feel tender when pierced. Drain well. Cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, in a large saute pan, cook bacon over medium-low heat until bacon is brown and crisp and fat is rendered. Using a slotted spoon, remove bacon from saute pan, and set aside.
• Depending on the amount of bacon fat in the saute pan, add enough olive oil to make a total of 1/3 cup fat and oil. Add shallots, carrots, and celery, and cook until vegetables are soft and fragrant, about 4 minutes. Stir in grainy mustard, and season with salt and pepper. Return bacon to saute pan. Arrange artichokes on serving platter. Spoon hot mixture into the cavity of each artichoke. Serve immediately.

EASY STEAMED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Prepare artichokes for steaming: Snap off tough outer leaves. Using a serrated knife, cut off top 1/3 of artichoke. Snip remaining sharp or spiky tips using kitchen shears. Trim stem so artichoke stands upright. Rub cut surfaces with lemon to prevent discoloration. Repeat with remaining artichokes and lemon.
• Set a steamer basket in a large pot; add enough water so it reaches just below the basket. Squeeze lemon juice into water and add 1 tablespoon salt; bring to a boil. Place artichokes in steamer basket, stem-side up. Cover pot, and steam until heart is tender when pierced with a tip of a paring knife, and inner leaves pull out easily, 25 to 35 minutes; add more water to pot, if necessary. Serve warm or at room temperature with Easy Hollandaise or melted butter, if desired.