Stuffed Artichoke

Stuffed artichoke is a savory Italian dish often prepared by stuffing artichokes with a mix of garlic, bread crumbs, cheese, and several seasonings and spices. The artichokes are often baked in a large pot or vessel, after pouring over some liquid, which may be either plain water, or a mix of chicken broth or white wine, seasonings, and oil. There are numerous recipe variations of the dish, mainly explained in terms of use of distinct artichoke stuffing ingredients. Garlic is often used in all the recipes for a rich flavor. Some recipes also suggest the use of some form of meat like Italian sausage, shrimp, bacon, or lamb as one of the stuffing ingredients. Use of herbs like parsley, mint, and celery is also suggested by a few recipe variations for enhanced flavor.   

The artichokes are stuffed after separating their leaves slightly and pulling out the purple colored ones in a careful manner, so as to expose the fuzzy choke, which is scooped out with melon ball cutter. Once the artichokes are hollowed out, they are filled with the stuffing and often baked in a large vessel; though a few recipes suggest baking them in cooker, where the preparation time is quite less, as compared to when baked in a vessel or pot.

Commonly Used Ingredients and Preparation Overview of Stuffed Artichokes

A popular stuffed artichoke recipe suggests using artichokes, cubed Italian bread, Romano cheese, minced garlic, fresh parsley, oregano, vegetable oil, pepper, and salt as the ingredients.  

The preparation process suggests getting rid of the stem and pointed tips of artichoke before filling it with artichoke stuffing. All the ingredients, except artichokes, are combined together to prepare the stuffing, which is spooned into each artichoke. The stuffed artichokes are packed tightly and then placed in a heavy saucepan, and baked after adding some water and little amount of oil. Once boiled, the heat is reduced and artichokes are cooked until leaves are pulled out quite easily.

Stuffed Artichoke Recipe Variations

A few popular variations of stuffed artichoke are discussed below:

• Sausage stuffed artichokes- the stuffing is prepared by toasting bread crumbs for a few minutes before stirring in garlic, parmesan cheese, chopped parsley, provolone cheese, salt, pepper, and Italian sausage (pork sausage seasoned with anise or fennel). Lemon juice is squeezed into hollowed out artichokes, which are then filled with the prepared Italian sausage stuffing. A mixture of water, chicken broth, garlic, salt, pepper, and oil is prepared in a cooker or a large vessel, and stuffed artichokes are placed in this liquid. They are then cooked, and served warm.

• Shrimp stuffed artichoke hearts- A mix of shrimp, mayonnaise, bread crumbs, parsley, celery, chives, Worcestershire sauce, pepper, and salt is prepared and spooned into artichokes, which are then baked after garnishing with sliced olives.

• Herbs based variant- The herbal variant suggests using mint and parsley as the herbs which are stuffed along with other ingredients like garlic, parmesan cheese, bread crumbs, pine nuts, red pepper, and seasonings into hollowed out artichokes. Cayenne pepper is also added to the stuffing mix for some spice.  A mix of white wine, lemon water, salt, and olive oil, is poured over stuffed artichokes, and the mix is baked until artichokes get tender.

• Spinach stuffed artichoke hearts- frozen spinach is thawed and combined with sautéed onions, parmesan cheese, sour cream, and seasonings, and the mix is then spooned into artichoke hearts, which are baked after sprinkling cheese on the top and pouring over some water.