ARTICHOKES****Quick-Braised Baby Artichokes with Garlic, Mint, and Parsley

By Unblond1

17/08/14 - I liked this very much. I picked up a package of 8 baby artichokes at the store and cut the remaining ingredients in half. I cut the artichokes in half and just snapped off leaves until I reached the tender ones, then cut about 1/2 inch of the remaining spiky tops. I gave Dan a small spoonful and of course he got stringy bits - no worries, this makes two servings and the second is a good leftover. I served the first time at room temperature because that made it make-ahead friendly, but hot would be good too.

Ingredients

• 16 baby artichokes, trimmed and halved or 12 large artichokes, trimmed to the heart and quartered
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 medium cloves garlic, minced (1-1/2 Tbs.)
• 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley (I used dried, what I had)
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint

Details

Servings 4
Adapted from finecooking.com

Preparation

Step 1

Drain the artichokes and blot dry with a dishtowel. In a 12-inch skillet, heat 2 Tbs. of the olive oil over medium-high heat until shimmering hot. Add half of the artichokes cut side down, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and cook until golden-brown, 3 to 4 minutes. As each one browns, flip it and brown the outside, about 2 minutes more. Transfer to a bowl and repeat with the remaining 2 Tbs. oil and the second batch of artichokes.

Reduce the heat to medium and add the reserved cooked artichokes to the ones in the skillet, along with the garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add 1/2 cup of water and the lemon juice; bring to a boil.

Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer until just tender, about 20 minutes. Uncover the pan, stir in the parsley and mint, raise the heat to medium, and simmer until any remaining liquid is mostly evaporated, 1 to 2 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper, and serve.

nutrition information (per serving): 
Calories  210
 fat g 14
sat fat g 2
protein g 6
 carbs g 20
cholesterol mg 0
 fiber g 10