How excited are you for Friday trivia tomorrow? I got 3 more questions comin’ at ya!
Have you ever had stuffed artichokes?
I never had. Not until 2003.
And for the record, I ate them at an ex-boyfriend’s house on most holidays. Yep, I said it.
The relationship didn’t stick, but the artichokes sure did. I think my husband is happy on both accounts.
My mom had never had them, and I didn’t know anyone who had. Sad to say, I am not very cultured. Unless you consider never leaving home and being afraid to use public restrooms cultured.
A few years ago I created this ‘stuffing’ for the artichokes, after learning how to prepare them first.
If you are looking for a recipe that does not include butter, oil or cheese – you have come to the wrong place, my friend. But I hope you’ll stay. 🙂
I bought this 4 pack of artichokes from Trader Joe’s for $3.99. Talk about a deal.
In my grocery store, they are $2.50 a piece. Not that this matters, because I think money grows on trees I love them so much that I am willing to pay $5.00 for artichokes and $7.00 for avocados. I have no idea where all of my money is going.
These are beauties. ‘Round these parts you don’t see such elegant artichokes.
You’d think I lived in a remote area of town. I don’t.
I do this one of two ways. This time, I cut the top off of the artichoke before boiling.
Sometimes I do it after. I believe after is the best way, in order to keep the artichoke from browing. But I have never had that problem, so I do it my way.
I am such a rebel.
The prickly leaves should be trimmed off.
Unless you enjoy cuts on your tongue and cheek.
Hey, some people do. You may like that kinda’ thing.
I’m not judging.
You can see I was practicing my karate chopping skills and took off a huge hunkin’ chunk of the bottom left artichoke.
Don’t do that. Please don’t follow my lead.
I let them drain for about 5-10 minutes. It can be done longer, but I am extremely impatient.
Chances are, those that know me and are reading are thinking ‘No! She is definitely not impatient at all.’
I have talked about panko before. I adore panko. My lobster mac adores panko.
You should, too. It is nice.
This is how I created the stuffing for the artichokes.
Otherwise known as – a myocardial infarction in a saucepan.
The panko and cheese create an incredible stuffing.
Toasted, cheesy, and crispy – yet soft. Remember that time I wished I could eat breading as a meal? This is one of those times.
The artichokes need to be reallllly pulled apart to get the stuffing inside.
Do you think I didn’t take a couple spoonfuls for myself?
You don’t even know me.
If you really knew me, you’d know I ate quarter-cupfuls of the mix.
Isn’t this incredible?
I dumped a bit of water in the bottom of my small baking dish. I love the ‘casserole dishes for two.’ I have one from pampered chef.
Unfortunately, a casserole that can actually fit in the ‘casserole dish for two,’ only feeds me. And then, I need to make a dish for my husband in a ‘casserole dish for six.’ That should satisfy him.
Check out the stuffed, baked artichokes.
If you are not familar with eating the ‘meat’ from the leaves, you simply pluck a leaf, and scrape from the top down with your teeth. Buttery, toasted, cheesy stuffing included.
Stuffed Artichokes
4 artichokes
1/4 cup olive oil + 1 tablespoon
1/4 cup butter
1/3 cup panko bread crumbs
3 peeled garlic cloves
1/4 cup parmesan cheese
salt & pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 375.
Cut stems off of artichokes. Place upside down in a large pot and fill with water. Boil for 20 minutes. Artichokes should be submerged in water, so you may need to place a bowl or other object on top.
Remove artichokes from pot. Let drain upside down for 10 minutes. Cut off the top 1/2-1 inch of artichoke. Trim remaining leaf tips if sharp.
In a small saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil and 1/8 cup butter. Add chopped garlic, bread crumbs, salt, pepper, and any other fresh herbs or seasons you desire. Stir until mixture comes together. It will most likely be dry, so add the remaining oil and butter. Add in the parmesan cheese, a squirt of freshly squeezed lemon juiced, and stir until lightly golden brown.
Pull apart artichoke leaves and spoon mixture evenly inside. Place artichokes in a baking dish and add 1 inch of water to the bottom.
Bake for 15 minutes uncovered. Place foil over the artichokes and bake another 25 minutes.
Serve with clarified butter and a dish to discard leaves.
Remember when I made Whole Wheat Pumpkin Gnocchi’s??
Cinde from Gluten Free Taste of Home made Gluten Free Pumpkin Gnocchi’s for all of you gluten-free peeps out there. Check out her site, and try out her recipe!
Also, a HUGE shout out to Seth from Boy Meets Food for spending alot of time with me yesterday regarding my wordpress issues.
And if you are craving more buttery, sugary goodness, follow How Sweet It Is on Twitter and Facebook.
Me oh my. Super yum.
I have! Holy yum 🙂
I love stuffed artichokes… but have been to intimidated to make them…
Your recipe looks great!
Yum! I haven’t had artichokes in ages. May have to try this sometime…SOON!
WHOA those are gorgeous! I need!
I have never had stuffed artichokes, but yours look delicious. I might just have to try them!
Hello fellow not very cultured friend! I, too, am very afraid of public restrooms and have managed to reach 33 without ever traveling to New York City. I grew up in Michigan, packed my Saturn one day and moved to LA. That’s it!
You’re a great writer!
xo
Thank you! 🙂
For not liking veggies, you post some great veggie recipes! Which is good for your readers like me who love the green stuff. Keep ’em coming!
Yuuuuum!!! My aunt makes them, but other than her, I’ve never known anyone who has! And when I wax rhapsodic about them, no one knows what I’m talking about. Thanks for the recipe!
i never understood why people didn’t like artichokes till i discovered some people just boil/steam them. no butter. no seasoning.
we grew up with deliciously seasoned ones (boiled with basil and peppercorns and things), that we dipped in rosemary butter. it’s no wonder we ate our veggies.
My mom used to make these all the time growing up, I love them!!!
SO pretty.. artichokes totally intimidate me so I never buy them. I never know how to cut/cook!! Thanks for the post.. your meal looks delish. AND I do believe, atichokes count as a veggie!! lol
You totally read my mind! Seriously, just yesterday I decided that I want to make artichokes at my parents’ for Thanksgiving but I don’t really know what to do. They know how to make them but I wanted to find a recipes and then give it my own flare. Thanks for posting this! You’re a mind reader 🙂
Been eating steamed artichokes since I was a child- and even posted a recipe for frying the hearts a while back. I can’t believe I have never stuffed them! Your recipe and directions don’t leave a doubt in my mind- I’m going to try these next week.
These look beautiful!
Thanks for popping into my blog!
Any girl who can work “myocardial infarction” into a recipe is my kind of chick!
I’m betting that boyfriend of yours was Italian, no?
Yes, yes he was.
BTW, for those of you who don’t have panko, and would like to make this recipe…
I have a panko giveaway going on this week. Deadline is Saturday. All you have to do is leave a comment.
i tried a stuffed artichoke for the first time a couple months ago… gosh darn delicious! also are artichokes vegetables??? you, my dear, my like your first veggie… 😉
I’ve always wondered how to cook artichokes! I need to make this sometime so I can impress people!
LOL the relationship didn’t stick but the artichokes did!!
this recipe looks SOOO good i LOVE artichokes, espt when I make them mmyself so this recipe is a keeper 🙂
keep visiting me even though my google reader is Not being coopertive !!
I am! 🙂
I LOVE artichokes! In fact I had some today for lunch. I had a really great artichoke with a creamy sauce stuffed inside once, with a hint of bacon, it was a dream in my mouth.
I am a sad excuse for a Cali girl. I have never cooked an artichoke. These look amazing!
mmmmmmmm. stuffed artichokes are one of my favorite things to make!! these sound tasty 🙂
I love that recipe! Thanks for sharing it!
Those artichokes looks SO gorgeous–like out of a garden or something!! I’ve never had fresh artichokes before. Looks difficult to eat 🙂
No, really, they are super easy to eat! 🙂
To be honest, I am always scared to cook those Artichokes. They just look so intimidating to me, because I don’t know after trimming down all those leave , anything will left after my painful labor work!!! 😀 Even though I know you are healthy, but just hard to summon up my courage to try them out!
Thanks for finally giving me a reason to put them in my cart !!
also, I know there is a recipe of that Artichokes spread, if you have some left over Artichokes, maybe try that out:-D
Oh my goodness, you sound like me making braciole… love the stuffing!
Ahhh… artichokes… I’ve only attempted them once, but there was no stuffing and they seemed like too much effort to both prepare and eat. Maybe this is the way to artichoke greatness!
LOVE the artichoke tutorial. I confess, I suck w/ artichokes. I either over or undercook them, or I cant get them cleaned properly. This was great to see you do it! thank you!
Hi Jessica! they look great! And thank you for tutorial on preparing fresh artichokes! I am using frozen hearts (or canned), was always too scared to start work with fresh ones, but after this post maybe will try 🙂
They look great. I have been eating stuffed artichokes all my life. My mom always stuffed them with a veal/pork/breadcrumb & cheese mixutre….I tried to make them once but they’re just not the same as moms!
Going to try those absolutely!
I have never ventured into artichoke land. You make it seem easy–and dare I say fun? I might give it a try. Thanks for the inspiration.
I just saw this on Foodbuzz! COOL! Our stuffings are pretty similar! I add cheese too sometimes, but didn’t this last time! Love your blog so much.
I grew up with these, I love them! Also, your artichokes are beautiful! I hope to find some like that this weekend at the Farmers’ market!
a real artistic works keep it up dear
between i just love your blog 🙂 very inspiring
Never had ’em before! Butter, oil and cheese? Count me in!
Preparing an Artichoke is a labor of love to say the least.But it doesn’t go unnoticed as a dish like this talked about for years!
One question….You do not mention cleaning out the choke of the Artichoke ? Do you do it before or after you parboil them ?
I have never cooked artichokes but love the taste in dips. when I saw the lovely picture of artichokes I came to thank on your blog by accepting my request.
Beautiful!!!!
These look super delicious….
I love Artichoke and this recipe sounds absolutely perfect.