Grilled Artichokes w/Basil Aioli

By felcrs0513

Ingredients

• Ingredients:
• 4 medium sized artichokes- trimmed
• 2 lemons
• 2 garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves ( optional)
• Salt
• Pepper
• Drizzle and Aioli:
• 1 packed C Italian parsley
• 1/4 packed C Basil
• 1/2 C olive oil
• lemon
• 1 T capers
• salt, pepper
• 1 garlic clove
• mayo or Vegenaise

Preparation

Step 1

Put a big Pot of water (12 Cups) on the stove, add:
Squeeze 1 whole lemon ( squeeze and then throw in both halves)
2 smashed garlic cloves
2 T salt and 2 bay leaves
bring to a boil
Prep artichokes:


With a very sharp knife, trim off the stems, trim 1/2 to 1 inch off the tops and remove small outer leaves.
Add artichokes, bring to a boil, turn down heat to a simmer, and simmer on med - low for 20-30 minutes. Cook until just tender. Al dente. If your artichokes are very small this may take 20 minutes...if huge, longer. Do not cover.





Make Drizzle and Aioli:
In food processor add:
1 C packed italian parsley
1/4 C packed basil
( if you like, you could add more basil and less parsley or really any combination of tender herb)
zest of one lemon (save the lemon)
1 small clove garlic
1 T capers
pulse 5 times until nicely chopped.


Add 1/2 C olive oil
1/8 C lemon juice - or half a lemon, ( and slice the other half into slices for a garnish, set aside)
salt to taste, pinch pepper
Pulse a few times and scrape down sides and pulse a few more times more.
Remove a 1/4 Cup and set aside for the Drizzle. you will use this to brush on the artichokes before you grill.




To the remaining, still in the food processor, add 1/3 to 1/2 cup mayo or veganaise (depending on how flavorful you like your aioli) the more you add, the less bold it will be.
Pulse a few times till just blended.
Adjust for salt.
This is your dipping sauce.


Heat up your grill.
Remove artichokes from the large pot and place in bowl of cold water for a few mins.
Drain well, holding them upside down and gently squeeze out excess water.
With a sharp knife, Halve them, scoop out fibrous insides, then quarter ( insides faced down on cutting board)
Brush or spoon each quarter on the inside with a little herb drizzle that you have set aside.
Place artichokes, inside faced down on a hot grill along with a few lemon slices.
Turn Grill to Medium and cover, and do not touch them for 5-6 minutes. If you are using small artichokes, it may be four minutes, This will give them nice grill marks.

Remove, drizzle a little olive oil over and and serve with Basil aioli.