Stuffed Artichokes

So Artichokes can seem a little intimidating and maybe even some think that they are just too much work. I agree with all of the above however I think they are so worth it!! Artichokes remind me of when I was a little girl my mother used to make them all the time =)

2 Artichokes (we eat them as a side dish which is why I only make 2, make more according to your liking =)

1/4-1/3 cup Italian Seasoned OR Plain bread crumbs
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp. paprika
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. parsley chopped
1/8 cup grated parmesan cheese
olive oil (you will drizzle it on the tops before placing in the oven)

Take a skillet and brown together all the ingredients minus the olive oil. Takes about 3 minutes to brown. Set aside and let cool.

While the mixture is cooling we are going to clean the artichokes =) first you want to rinse them off. Get a cutting board out and make sure it's secure. You can do this by taking a paper towel and wetting it a bit and stick it under your cutting board and it shouldn't slide anymore =) Get a good knife and chop off the stems of the Artichokes.

Next you want to peel off the bottom layer of leaves. Be careful because Artichokes have a little thistle on the top of each leaf. Maybe that's why it's part of the Thistle family?

Next you are going to want to take some good cutting scissors to cut off the top of EACH leaf all the way down into the heart of the Artichoke you will do this because you don't want to stick your tongue with a needle =) No fun I imagine =)

After you have cut off the tops give the Artichokes another nice good rinse and shake off well. Spread the leaves apart as far as you can. Take a large pot and boil the Artichokes on high for 20 minutes, this will cut down the cooking time.

Preheat oven to 350.

Take the Artichokes out when done, let cool down briefly and spread the leaves as far apart as you can without pulling them off then take the bread crumb mixture and pour it into the crevices all around the Artichoke.

Drizzle the tops with a little bit of Olive oil then place in a casserole dish. Fill the bottom of the casserole dish about and inch high with water. Cover the top with foil and bake in the oven at 350 for 1 and 1/2 hours.

Add more water as needed
Once cool to handle put under broiler for a few minutes to brown the tops.

Sprinkle a tiny bit more parmesan cheese on top (if you like, optional)

Tah-dah!! You're done. Now as my husband asked after he said "these look amazing!"... "how do you eat these?" =) You pull off a leaf at a time and scrape off the inside with your teeth, soooooo yummy and good for you!! You can always save the hearts for salads too when you are done!

ENJOY GUYS!!

Side Note: If you don't want to do stuffing you can season these with some EVOO, galic powder, salt and pepper instead. Just do this before you place them in the oven. Follow all other instructions =)