May 07, 2011

Italian Stuffed Artichokes

Years ago my MIL used to make these. I had never heard of them before that. I tasted them at her house and fell in love, they are my favorite. So whenever she made them she would save me one.

I remember being in our first apt. and being quite pregnant. My  hubby came home from her house one day and she sent one home with him. I thought that was so nice of her. But I knew I had to learn how to make them one day. I never grew up eating artichokes so I didn't have a clue. So I told her to call me the next time she makes them, I wanted to learn. And here it is.

When I say small artichokes I do not mean the baby ones. I think they would just be too much work for this. I mean the smallest ones you can find of a normal size choke. The reason I say this is, once stuffed, this is huge. So it you want it to look pretty, smaller would be better. However if you don't care, then buy the large ones and cut them in half to serve.
 

Stuffed Artichokes with Tomato Sauce Serves 4

4 small artichokes or 2 med or larger
1 large lemon
A couple of garlic clove, don't have to peel them
A tsp or two of whole peppercorns and 1 tsp. salt
A couple springs of thyme, lemon thyme could be used too
2 sprigs rosemary
---------------
1lb. ground beef
1/2c. grated Romano Cheese
2 garlic cloves
1 Tb. chopped fresh parsley
1 egg
1/2c. bread crumbs, plain or seasoned
Salt and Pepper
---------
1 jar of Classico Tomato and Basil sauce or equivalent in homemade sauce or
canned tomato sauce with basil added.



 In a large pot, put lemons, cut up and juice squeezed into a pot filled about 3/4 with water. (all the lemon goes in, I squeeze for juice to quickly make sure chokes don't get brown.) Throw in a few cloves garlic, these don't have to be peeled or anything. I used about 4 or 5 but I love garlic. Toss in S & P and herbs. Bring to a boil while cleaning chokes. 


One cleaned and one not trimmed yet so you can see what to do.


Cut tips off the leaves, cut off stem, remove any really small or bad looking leaves. Cut across top about a half in. to cut off most of the tips. Theses tips and the ones on the leaves all must be cut because they have a thorn on them. Artichokes are members of the Thistle family. Once you do that, toss them into the water.


Let them cook until a fork stuck into the stem part goes in fairly easy. You do not want to overcook them or they will fall apart before you can stuff them.

When tender and fork goes in, remove choke from water with tongs. Hold upside down over water to drain it and then put upside down on paper toweling to cool.  Shake them well in this position too because the peppercorns can get stuck in there and are a pain when your eating it later on. 



In the meantime make the meat stuffing. I use this to also make my meatballs, so you could make a bunch, stuff these and then fry or bake up the rest for meatballs for sauce. I often do this then just freeze the meatballs. Saves me time later on.


Mix meat mixture together. Take an artichoke and turn it right side up. At this point if your feeling confident or adventurous, you could spread open the leaves and remove the hairy part of the choke so you don't have to deal with it later. I don't tho, too lazy and in a hurry most times lol.

Begin to stuff the artichoke by spreading leaves apart and putting a bit of the meat mixture on most of them. You don't have to do them all but you do want to do most, after all this is a dinner, not a snack. Then I stuff the middles, mounding it on the top. If you cleaned the fuzzy choke out you could stuff it over that with meat.



Take another large pot, such as a dutch oven and put a cup of water on the bottom, top with the stuffed artichokes, squishing them in if necessary. Pour the sauce over the top. Heat on high heat till all is bubbling, then lower and cover with a lid. These may burn on the bottoms if the heat is too high so watch it. Cook until the meat in the center is done, maybe 45min. to an hr. Depends on your heat.

These can be served just as they are, they are quite hearty. Top with more grated cheese.This is quite saucy and you want that. You dip the leaves into it before you eat each one.  Or you could make some pasta for the sauce or even rice. Or just serve it with a nice crusty bread. When stuffed if you used too large of a choke, cut in half then to serve. I often do that.

Remember artichokes are finger food so expect to get messy hands, have napkins on hand. To eat, you pull off a leaf and scrape the top part off with your teeth. In this way you get the artichoke meat, the stuffing and the sauce all in one. I often have fork on hand anyway to eat what falls off or when I use pasta. 

35 comments:

Anonymous said...

Wow! After all I got a website from where I can in fact take useful information
concerning my study and knowledge.

Feel free to surf to my web page: visit Website

Anonymous said...

I am in fact pleased to read this webpage posts which consists of lots of useful facts, thanks for providing these statistics.



Visit my webpage - http://burirockclub.com/index.php?do=/blog/48286/celebrity-actresses-that-were-porn-stars-some-time-ago/

Anonymous said...

Magnificent goods from you, man. I have take
into account your stuff prior to and you are simply too fantastic.
I actually like what you've received here, really like what you are saying and the way in which wherein you say it. You're
making it entertaining and you still care for to stay it wise.
I can not wait to learn far more from you.
That is actually a great website.

My blog post; http://2bet.es/groups/these-effect-upon-teenagers-of-viewing-video-entertainment/
My web site: a adult

Anonymous said...

Currently it sounds like Wordpress is the top blogging platform
available right now. (from what I've read) Is that what you're using on your blog?


Also visit my blog ... a Teen

Anonymous said...

Hey there! I know this is kinda off topic but I was wondering which blog platform are you using
for this website? I'm getting tired of Wordpress because I've had problems with hackers and I'm looking at options for another platform. I would be fantastic if you could point me in the direction of a good platform.

Also visit my web site ... visit

Anonymous said...

Howdy! Would you mind if I share your blog with my zynga group?
There's a lot of folks that I think would really enjoy your content. Please let me know. Many thanks

Take a look at my webpage Http://Vintagewifemovies.com

Anonymous said...

Nice blog here! Also your website loads up fast!
What web host are you using? Can I get your affiliate link to your host?
I wish my website loaded up as fast as yours lol

my web site :: http://Groupsexvirgins.org/index.php?own=2129831

Anonymous said...

We're a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your web site provided us with valuable information to work on. You've
done an impressive job and our entire community will be thankful to you.


Feel free to surf to my blog: kindle games

Anonymous said...

This paragraph is actually a pleasant one it helps new web visitors, who
are wishing for blogging.

Feel free to visit my homepage: a porn tube

Anonymous said...

It's really very complicated in this full of activity life to listen news on TV, thus I only use world wide web for that reason, and obtain the newest news.

Also visit my homepage visit website

Anonymous said...

Wonderful web site. A lot of useful information here.
I am sending it to a few friends ans also sharing in delicious.
And certainly, thank you to your effort!

Also visit my web blog: or jasmine

Anonymous said...

Link exchange is nothing else but it is just placing the other person's webpage link on your page at proper place and other person will also do similar for you.

Look into my web-site Website van de dag

Anonymous said...

Appreciate this post. Will try it out.

Check out my site; http://oldfucksyoung.org/index.php?own=2130926

Anonymous said...

It's an remarkable article for all the online people; they will obtain advantage from it I am sure.

Also visit my homepage; http://teensfirstgroupsex.com/index.php?own=2097120

Anonymous said...

Good post. I absolutely love this site. Keep it up!

Here is my weblog ... http://www.bsesupply.com/main/modules/profile/userinfo.php?uid=754

Anonymous said...

Thanks for finally writing about > "Italian Stuffed Artichokes" < Liked it!

Here is my web page - View Web Page

Anonymous said...

Hello, I want to subscribe for this weblog to take hottest updates, therefore where
can i do it please help.

my blog post Click Here

Anonymous said...

It's actually a great and useful piece of info. I am satisfied that you simply shared this useful information with us. Please keep us informed like this. Thanks for sharing.

my web-site; ladies know miniskirts are good boy bait and tainas was so high she

Anonymous said...

Hello There. I found your blog using msn. This is a really well written article.

I'll make sure to bookmark it and return to read more of your useful information. Thanks for the post. I'll certainly return.


Also visit my page ... http://pornharvest.com/index.php?m=2206374

Anonymous said...

Hello, always i used to check blog posts here early in the morning, for the reason that
i love to gain knowledge of more and more.

Feel free to surf to my web site; http://pornharvest.com/index.php?m=2216110

Anonymous said...

If some one wishes to be updated with hottest technologies therefore he
must be pay a quick visit this site and be up to date every day.



Also visit my web site :: a total noob

Anonymous said...

I loved as much as you'll receive carried out right here. The sketch is tasteful, your authored material stylish. nonetheless, you command get got an impatience over that you wish be delivering the following. unwell unquestionably come further formerly again since exactly the same nearly a lot often inside case you shield this increase.

Feel free to visit my homepage http://www.etworldforum.com/blogs/user/BennieDenn

Anonymous said...

I hardly write comments, however after browsing some of the comments on this page "Italian Stuffed Artichokes".
I actually do have 2 questions for you if you do not mind.
Could it be only me or do a few of the comments appear like they
are written by brain dead individuals? :-P And, if you are posting on additional online sites,
I'd like to keep up with everything new you have to post. Would you list of the complete urls of all your shared sites like your twitter feed, Facebook page or linkedin profile?

Feel free to visit my blog: official source

Anonymous said...

What's up friends, its enormous article concerning tutoringand completely explained, keep it up all the time.

My homepage; brunette Getting nailed

Anonymous said...

Hi it's me, I am also visiting this web page daily, this web site is actually pleasant and the users are truly sharing fastidious thoughts.

My web blog: in photo

Anonymous said...

Appreciate the recommendation. Will try it out.


My weblog ... top article

Anonymous said...

I used to be able to find good advice from your blog articles.



Feel free to surf to my page; http://pornharvest.com/index.php?m=2526514

Anonymous said...

This paragraph provides clear idea in support of the new people of blogging,
that genuinely how to do blogging and site-building.


Stop by my web-site :: the archive CUMnBeMineNOW

Anonymous said...

Your style is very unique in comparison to other
folks I've read stuff from. I appreciate you for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I'll
just bookmark this page.

My blog; teenie Getting slammed

Anonymous said...

I constantly spent my half an hour to read this website's posts every day along with a cup of coffee.

Look at my web page http://www.myazbox.de/forum//index.php/index.php?page=User&userID=12419

Anonymous said...

I quite like reading a post that will make men and women think.
Also, thank you for allowing me to comment!

Also visit my web-site visit

Anonymous said...

I don't know if it's just me or if everyone else encountering issues
with your website. It appears as if some of the text within your posts are running off the screen.

Can someone else please provide feedback and let me know if this is happening to them
too? This might be a problem with my internet browser because I've had this happen before. Thanks

Here is my web-site :: hot girl fucks an old senior couple in the bushes hardcore

Anonymous said...

Link exchange is nothing else however it is only placing the other person's webpage link on your page at suitable place and other person will also do same in support of you.

Here is my web-site - click through the Following article

Anonymous said...

What's up everyone, it's my first pay a visit at this web
site, and post is actually fruitful in support of me, keep up posting such
posts.

Feel free to visit my blog :: carli banks and faith get each other wet 1052007

Anonymous said...

Hi there to all, how is the whole thing, I think every one is getting more from this web
page, and your views are fastidious designed for
new users.

Here is my website ... look what I found