Fregola With Artichokes, Feta, Almonds, And Herbs Recipe

• Juice of 1 lemon
• 3 medium artichokes (about 1 1/2 pounds), tough outer leaves peeled off and discarded
• 1/3 cup slivered almonds, toasted in a dry skillet
• 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled and smashed
• 1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 1/4 cup fregola or Israeli couscous
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 ounces crumbled feta cheese

1. Fill a medium bowl with water and add the lemon juice.
2. Cut off the top third of the artichokes as well as the tough bottom part of the stem. Trim away the dark skin from the base, then cut each artichoke in half lengthwise. Using a grapefruit spoon or small teaspoon, scrape out the hairy "choke" inside each half, and pull out any purple leaves. Slice the artichokes into 1/2-inch wide pieces.
3. In a medium (3-quart) pot, bring 6 cups of water, olive oil, salt, garlic cloves, and pepper flakes to a boil. Add the artichokes and simmer, covered, until tender, 5-7 minutes. Remove the artichokes with a slotted spoon to a bowl, leaving the water.
4. Bring the water back to a boil and add the fregola (or couscous) and cook until tender, 10-12 minutes. Drain well and return to the pot.
5. Add the artichokes, almonds, mint, dill, and most of the feta, and 2 tablespoons more olive oil. Toss well and season to taste with salt and pepper.
6. Serve with a remaining feta sprinkled on top.

lemon, artichokes, slivered almonds, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, garlic, red pepper, couscous, fresh mint, dill, black pepper, feta cheese

Taken from www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2012/02/fregola-with-artichokes-feta-almonds-and-herbs-recipe.html (may not work)