1. Garlic and herb stuffed artichokes
Garlic and herb stuffed artichokes are a classic dish that is always a hit with crowds. To prepare, you will need four large artichokes, three cloves of garlic, one cup of breadcrumbs, half a cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese, two tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, two tablespoons of chopped fresh basil, one tablespoon of chopped fresh rosemary, one tablespoon of chopped fresh thyme, half a cup of olive oil, and salt and pepper to taste.
Begin by prepping the artichokes for stuffing. Cut the stem and the top off of each artichoke, and remove any tough outer leaves. Use a spoon to scoop out the choke (the fuzzy center), and discard it. Next, combine the garlic, breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, parsley, basil, rosemary, thyme, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Mix everything together until you have a loose, crumbly mixture.
Carefully stuff each artichoke with the breadcrumb mixture, making sure to get the mixture in between each leaf. Once each artichoke is stuffed, place them in a large pot and add enough water to cover the bottoms of the artichokes. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for about one hour, or until the artichokes are tender and easily pierced with a knife.
2. Sausage and cheese stuffed artichokes
Sausage and cheese stuffed artichokes are a heartier variation on the classic garlic and herb stuffed artichokes. For this recipe, you will need four large artichokes, one pound of sweet Italian sausage, one cup of freshly grated parmesan cheese, half a cup of breadcrumbs, two tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, two tablespoons of chopped fresh basil, two cloves of garlic, one tablespoon of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Begin by prepping the artichokes as you would for the garlic and herb stuffed artichokes. Once the artichokes are ready, remove the sausage from its casing and brown it in a pan with the garlic and olive oil. Once the sausage is cooked through, remove it from the heat and add the parmesan cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, basil, salt, and pepper. Mix everything together until you have a loose, crumbly mixture.
Stuff each artichoke with the sausage mixture, making sure to get the mixture in between each leaf. Once each artichoke is stuffed, place them in a large pot and add enough water to cover the bottoms of the artichokes. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for about one hour, or until the artichokes are tender and easily pierced with a knife.
3. Spinach and feta stuffed artichokes
Spinach and feta stuffed artichokes are a lighter and healthier option. For this recipe, you will need four large artichokes, one pound of fresh spinach, half a cup of crumbled feta cheese, two cloves of garlic, one cup of breadcrumbs, two tablespoons of chopped fresh parsley, two tablespoons of chopped fresh dill, two tablespoons of lemon juice, two tablespoons of olive oil, salt, and pepper.
Begin by prepping the artichokes as you would for the other stuffed artichoke . Once the artichokes are ready, wash and chop the spinach leaves and add them to a pan over medium heat along with the garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Cook the spinach for five minutes or until wilted.
Add the feta cheese, breadcrumbs, parsley, dill, and lemon juice to the spinach mixture and mix everything together until you have a crumbly mixture. Stuff each artichoke with the spinach mixture, making sure to get the mixture in between each leaf. Once each artichoke is stuffed, place them in a large pot and add enough water to cover the bottoms of the artichokes. Cover the pot and simmer over low heat for about one hour, or until the artichokes are tender and easily pierced with a knife.
In conclusion, stuffed artichokes are a delicious and easy way to enjoy this versatile vegetable. The three recipes outlined above offer a range of flavors and ingredients, so there is something for everyone to enjoy. So, the next time you want to impress your friends and family with a delicious and hearty dish, give stuffed artichokes a try!