Stuffed Artichokes
- 6 artichokes
- 1 lemon, thinly sliced
- 2 teaspoons crab boil
- 2 bay leaves
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 1/2 cup finely diced onion
- 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
- 1 teaspoon chopped oregano leaves
- 1 1/2 cups Italian style bread crumbs
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1/2 cup grated Parmesan, plus more for garnish
- 1/4 cup olive oil plus 2 tablespoons, divided
- Salt and pepper
- Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- Cut the stems from the artichokes to leave a neat, flat base.
- Lay each artichoke on its side, and cut away the upper third with a sharp knife.
- With kitchen shears, remove the prickly leaf tips from each remaining leaf.
- Rub the cut sides and bottom with a lemon slice, squeezing lemon juice onto the cut areas and set aside.
- Place the prepared artichokes, lemon slices, crab boil and bay leaves in the boiling water and simmer, partially covered, until the bottom is tender and can be pierced with a sharp knife and an outer leaf pulls out easily, about 25 minutes.
- Heat the butter in a small skillet over medium heat.
- Add the onions and cook until softened, about 4 minutes.
- To the onion pan, add the garlic and oregano and continue to cook for 30 seconds.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the bread crumbs, lemon zest, Parmesan, and 1/4 cup of the olive oil.
- Mix well and adjust seasonings with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
- Drain the artichokes upside down in a colander.
- When the artichokes are cool enough to handle, press the leaves gently back so that the artichoke opens to reveal the inner choke and prickly leaves.
- Pull out the cone of undeveloped white leaves and gently scrape out the choke with a spoon so as not to damage the heart.
- Gently pull the leaves outward from the center until the leaves open slightly.
- Fill the artichoke cavities with bread stuffing, and pack a little bit into the space between the leaves.
- Place the artichokes in an earthenware baking dish and drizzle the tops with the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
- Pour 1/2 cup of water into the bottom of the dish and place in oven.
- Bake until the artichokes are golden brown and the bread crumbs develop a nice crust, about 10 to 15 minutes.
- Transfer to a serving plate, drizzle with some olive oil and sprinkle some grated Parmesan.
- Serve with additional lemon wedges.
artichokes, lemon, crab boil, bay leaves, butter, onion, garlic, oregano, italian style bread crumbs, lemon zest, olive oil, salt
Taken from www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/stuffed-artichokes-recipe2.html (may not work)