Our long weekend plan has gone for a toss! Our plan was to see a new place, Portland to be precise. We wanted to visit the rose garden.. hike in the forest.. hangout by the waterfront.. Yes, those were our plans and it's now cancelled. How can you possibly do such outdoor activities when the weather prediction is rain, rain and only rain. Seriously, somebody remind me which month is this?
Anyways, enough of whining.. I will have to find something to do and make this long weekend interesting. What about you guys? How's your plan for the long weekend coming up?
Since our plan to visit a new place didn't work out, we thought of eating something new! Not that it's the same feeling, but anyways 🙂 Eating something new intimidates me at times, especially if it's seafood. We chose Artichoke and it didn't freak me out. Yes, the texture is rough and the petals has spikes.. but it still looks so pretty like a green flower with a tint of purple shade.
I got introduced to Artichoke only after I came to US. I never saw this vegetable in India. I have been planning to try this popular vegetable for a very long time and just a couple of days back, the plan was finally implemented. I was not very sure what to make out of the artichoke and then, after cracking my head and looking through recipes, I decided to try Sonia's My Creative Flavors recipe .
Stuffed Artichokes
Ingredients
- 2 artichokes
- 2 tbs lemon juice
- a slice of lemon
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 1 cup parmesan cheese (grated)
- 1 cup chicken stock
- 1 medium onion (roughly chopped)
- 1 to mato (roughly chopped)
- 2 green chillies (finely chopped)
- 1 carrot (roughly chopped)
- ½ cup frozen peas
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 teaspoon dried parsley
- 1 teaspoon chilly flakes
- salt
- pepper
- oil (I used extra virgin olive oil)
Instructions
- Cut the stem at the bottom of the artichoke to make it stand.
- Using a very sharp knife, cut off ½ inch from top.
- The leaves of the artichoke have thorny tips. Trim them off using a scissor at about ½ inch.
- As soon as you are done trimming, take the lemon slice and rub it on the leaves and on top. This will help to retain the green color which can otherwise turn black.
- Spread the leaves a little apart and using a pairing knife or a spoon, remove the choke from the center . This will create a cavity where we will fill with the stuffing.
- In a bowl, mix breadcrumbs with oregano, thyme, parsley, chilly flakes, salt, pepper and about 2 tbs extra virgin olive oil.
- Pour the mixture in the center of the artichoke and sprinkle a little between the leaves as well.
- Next, we would need a deep pan to steam the artichokes in a water bath.
- In the deep pan, add chicken stock and roughly chopped vegetables(onion, carrot, tomato, green chilly and peas).
- Then, place the artichokes, add 1 cup water and cover the pan with a tight lid.
- Let it cook for about 40 mins in low heat.
- Remove artichokes from the pot and keep them aside.
- The vegetables in the pot should be boiled. Using a masher or food processor, mix them to form a thick sauce.
- Add the lemon juice sprinkle some chilly flakes and check for salt in the sauce. If required, add more.
- Pull the leaves from the artichoke.. dip it in the sauce and enjoy!
Nutrition
Moment of truth.. I am yet to fall in love with Artichoke. We did enjoy it, but not a big fan yet 🙂
Manu
Ohh these look lovely. I love artichokes... they are my favorite vegetable together with eggplant. Great job! 🙂
Katherine
I love artichokes any which way! This recipe looks delightful. Artichoke season is sadly over already in Israel so I'll have to save this for next year!
Cheryl and Adam @ pictureperfectmeals.com
So sorry your weekend plans were a wash-out, but it sounds like you had a lovely adventure of the culinary kind. Artichokes are a lot of work, but so worth it. Never had them stuffed, though, this is a recipe I'm looking forward to trying. Better luck on Portland next time!
Lin Ann
I haven't had stuffed artichokes in years and ohhh these look and sound so great! And great photos too. Sorry your plans got rained out. We finally got sun! Went to the white mountains and got a lot of bug bites but it was fun. Hope there aren't any typos I'm writing from my phone - saw your update on twitter so I rushed over!
Soma
I would not go to the rose garden if you fed me these artichokes (:D Only becoz i have been to that awesome Portland Rose garden - do visit it!). no kidding. I LOVE artichokes, any way. and this is one fabulous way with equally gorgeous pictures.
Tina (PinayInTexas)
Honestly, I love artichokes...but I haven't tried cooking artichokes myself so thumbs up to you! You did it so beautifully, Kankana!
sukanya
very innovative, never heard of stuffed artichokes, yours is looking spectacular. great post
purabi naha
A very different kind of post. Usually, we Indians do not experiment with artichokes at all (also, it is not found in Indian wet market or stores), but I liked your experiment. Even I love to experiment! Looking forward to sharing more recipes with you!
aarthi
This looks yummy....you have a lovely blog...I am having a giveaway in my blog..Y dont you check and join that
http://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/2011/05/chocolate-recipe-and-chocolate.html
daksha
Great post, very informative,new dish for me. Lovely presentation and snaps too.
tigerfish
The one thing I don't like about artichoke is the preparation!
Sandra's Easy Cooking
What a lovely presentation and photos to make my mouth water! Wonderful dish, I really love it!!!!
Meghna
I have always shied away from Artichokes.... not sure why... I like your recipe especially the flavors you have used… and as always awesome clicks.
nisha
i have always been apprehensive about artichokes...i mean they look absolutely pretty but im concerned when it comes to taste...u seem to have tackled it very love..love the pics
Rosa
So scrumptious looking and sounding! The seasonings you used are fabulous. Yummy!
Cheers,
Rosa
shabs
OOooh !! very beautiful presentation kankana , I like artichokes but don't like making them , I feel you have to just peel and peel and peel , it is too much work .
Heather @girlichef
Mmmm...I adore artichokes...but choose not to make them at home. I think they're just too much of a pain. But I gladly eat them anywhere else!!
Kimberley
I've been dying to make some stuffed artichokes before they're gone. They're a cool-weather coastal crop, which is perhaps why you never saw them in India. The sad truth about Oregon is that it's usually cool and rainy right up until the beginning of July. Then, it's the most amazing summer ever.
Aldy
Oooh, Absolutely beautiful! I'm a fan of artichokes and your gorgeous pics are making my mouth water 🙂 This goes on my to-try list.
Hugs,
Aldy.
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Sorry about your plans not coming through :(( ... this rain is just awful.
I love your photos, Kankana... beautiful recipe and presentation!