Sicilian Style Stuffed Artichokes

The stuffing is made with a mixture of bread crumbs, grated cheese, garlic, parsley and olive oil

Recipe for 4 persons

How to make Sicilian Style Stuffed Artichokes

8 medium sized artichokes

1 pound plain bread crumbs

1/4 pound grated pecorino, Grana Padano or Parmigiano Cheese

2 Cloves finely chopped garlic

parsley

extra virgin olive oil

salt & pepper

Clean the artichokes by removing the harder outer leaves and cutting the stem and the top part of the leaves as they may have thorns.

Wash and drain the artichokes well.

In a saute` pan put the bread crumbs and the garlic. Saute` until the bread crumbs are lightly golden. Let cool off.

Add to the bread crumbs the finely chopped parsley, salt & pepper as desired, a bit more finely chopped garlic, the grated cheese and some olive oil.

Mix the ingredients very well until the oil is evenly absorbed.

Take each artichoke, open the leaves as much as you can and insert among the leaves the bread crumb mixture.

Place the artichokes in an oven pan and add 1 1/2 inches of water.

Place the pan on the stove and cook for 15 mins.

Finish off by putting the pan in the oven for 15 more mins. at 400

Tips: put under broil a few minutes to get that beautiful golden color on the top.

While fresh artichokes are preferred for this recipe, you can use canned artichokes in a pinch.

However, the texture and flavor may differ slightly.

Yes, you can prepare the stuffing mixture ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days.

This can save time when assembling the stuffed artichokes later.

These artichokes make a delicious appetizer or side dish.

They pair well with a variety of main courses, such as roasted chicken, grilled fish, or pasta dishes.

To check for doneness, pierce the base of the artichoke with a fork or knife.

If it goes in easily and the leaves are tender, the artichokes are cooked.

Alternatively, you can test by tasting a leaf for tenderness.

While it’s best to enjoy stuffed artichokes fresh, you can freeze leftovers for later consumption.

Wrap each cooked artichoke tightly in plastic wrap or aluminum foil and store them in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 2 months.

Reheat them in the oven or microwave before serving.