Stuffed Artichokes

Hurray!  Artichokes are back!  There was a dry spell there for a little while and I couldn't find any, but artichokes are back in the markets.  A stuffed artichoke always makes dinner a little more special.  I remember my grandmother sitting at the kitchen table cutting up lots of garlic for the chokes.  She usually cooked about 1/2 dozen.  My recipe is for a single choke.

When picking out artichokes, you want the globe variety, like the one in the picture of this blog. The leaves should be tightly closed and the choke should squeak when you squeeze it.

Stuffed Artichokes:

For the stuffing, combine a couple of tablespoons of bread crumbs ( I prefer the plain so that you can add your own flavorings ), salt, a couple of tablespoons of grated parmigiano cheese, 1 clove chopped garlic, 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley.  To prepare the artichoke, cut off the stem and cut off the tip of the stem and discard it.  Keep the rest of the stem to cook with the artichoke as it tastes like the heart.  Rinse the choke under warm running water opening the leaves gently.  Be careful not to prick your fingers on the sharp points on the leaves.  After rinsing, turn the choke upside down to drain out the water.  Begin stuffing the choke with the bread crumb mixture, spooning a little of the mixture in between the leaves.  When the choke is stuffed sit it in a pot with the stem.  Pour a little olive oil ( about 2 teaspoons ) over the top of the choke and put enough water in the pot to reach the bottom layer of the artichoke leaves. Cover the pot and let the water come to the boil, then put the flame low and let the pot simmer for about 45 minutes.  The artichoke is ready when you can pull off a leaf easily.   Eat the artichoke leaf by leaf pulling off the top tender part of the leaf between you teeth.  You have the combination of the artichoke and the savory, spicy stuffing.  When you get down the the bottom, pluck out the fuzzy stuff from the heart, and enjoy that fine delicacy.  Mmmmmmmm, artichokes are a great eating experience!  Enjoy.