Flavorful sun-dried tomatoes and tangy feta add depth to the stuffing for these artichokes.

Makes 4 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 1 hour

TOTAL TIME: 2 hours

EASE OF PREPARATION: Moderate

Stuffing
2 1/4 cups coarse dry whole-wheat breadcrumbs (see Ingredient Note)
1 cup finely crumbled feta cheese
2/3 cup oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, rinsed and finely chopped
1/2 cup minced fresh basil
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Artichokes
4 large artichokes (2 1/2-3 1/2 pounds total)
6 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth
1 tablespoon lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. To prepare stuffing: Combine breadcrumbs, feta, tomatoes, basil, garlic, salt, pepper and oil in a medium bowl.
3. To prepare artichokes: Cut off the top 1 inch of leaves from an artichoke. Remove the outer layer of small, tough leaves from the stem end. Snip all remaining spiky tips from the outer leaves. Cut off the stem to make a flat bottom. (Discard the stem.) Starting at the outer layers and progressing inward, pull the leaves apart to loosen. Pull open the leaves at the center until you see the spiky, lighter leaves around the heart. Pull out those lighter leaves to expose the fuzzy choke. Scoop out the choke with a melon baller or grapefruit spoon and discard. Repeat this step with the remaining artichokes.
4. Spoon 1/2 cup stuffing into the center of an artichoke. Stuff an additional 1/2 cup stuffing between the outer leaves, toward the base, using a small spoon. Repeat with the remaining artichokes and stuffing. Divide any remaining stuffing among the artichokes.
5. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring often, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add broth and lemon juice; bring to a simmer. Carefully stand the artichokes upright in the pan. Drizzle each artichoke with 1 teaspoon oil.
6. Cover, transfer the pot to the oven and bake until tender when pierced down through the center with a knife, about 50 minutes. Uncover and continue baking until the stuffing is slightly browned, about 10 minutes more. Remove from the braising liquid and serve. Use the braising liquid for dipping if desired.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 412 calories; 18 g fat (6 g sat, 9 g mono); 28 mg cholesterol; 50 g carbohydrate; 16 g protein; 12 g fiber; 709 mg sodium; 757 mg potassium.
Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (55% daily value), Folate (27% dv), Calcium & Iron (23% dv), Potassium (22% dv).
2 1/2 Carbohydrate Servings
Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 medium-fat meat, 2 1/2 fat

TIP: Ingredient note: We like Ian’s brand labeled “Panko breadcrumbs.” Find them in the natural-foods section of large supermarkets. To make your own, trim crusts from whole-wheat bread. Tear bread into pieces and process in a food processor until coarse crumbs form. Spread on a baking sheet and bake at 250°F until crispy, about 15 minutes. One slice of fresh bread makes about 1/3 cup dry crumbs. Or use prepared coarse dry breadcrumbs.

MAKE AHEAD TIP: Cover and refrigerate stuffing (Step 2) for up to 1 day. Prep and stuff artichokes (Steps 3-4) up to 1 hour ahead.

So tasty! The directions and steps were easy to follow. I made them on Christmas Eve for an impressive but simple lunch. Yum.

Anonymous

Was this recipe published previously? I'm unclear as to how the previous reviewer made it for Christmas Eve when it was just published in the March '08 issue unless, of course, the reviewer tried something similar but not identical?

Kelly, Seattle, WA

The stuffing was fabulous, but i overcooked the artichoke. If you make this recipe, check it for doneness after half an hour or so. As for ease of preparation, i have no serrated grapefruit spoons, and my melon baller was too dull to scrape out the choke. I had to use the tip of a dull table knife to get out all those fuzzy hairs. My husband agrees with Miss Piggy's assessment, that eating an artichoke is not worth the trouble. This recipe didn't change his mind, i'm afraid. He was even indifferent to the lovely stuffing.

Anonymous, Bellingham, WA