No George, You don't eat the whole thing!!

The Stuffed & Grilled Artichokes...looming in the background are the infamous

Sausage & Cheese Biscuits, and the BEST Cheese Straws EEVVAAAAH!!

It seems as though everyone has their own traditions to celebrate the New Year. This was actually one of my first times to feast on the traditional southern staples of black eyed peas, turnip greens, cabbage, rice, etc. and it was all delicious as usual. I think I could survive on stewed cabbage alone if I was stranded on an island full of cabbage foliage- oh how my mind meanders when day dreaming of leafy greens…Mmmmm

I decided to add a new traditional food for New Year’s Day because, well, I am just so darn creative. THE ARTICHOKE!!!! Haha…who thought I was going to say rutabaga?? Robby and I decided to have a New Year’s Eve bash, with way too many fireworks mind you, and the hit of the evening was definitely the stuffed and grilled artichoke!! Although, for some it took a few lesson’s to learn how to properly consume the artichoke leaf. GEORGE THIS MEANS YOU!!

Our dear friends, George and Alana, enjoying the artichoke. If you look close you can see tears in his eye!! HeeHee.

One of our very polite friend was excited to try the artichoke leaf for the first time and proceeded to take one leaf and devour the entire thing without a second thought. After chewing the rubbery leaf for about 10 minutes he looked straight at me and proceeded to tell me how great it was as his eyes began to water- although I think he was really crying! We all began laughing, not at George- we are not that mean- but because we have all done it before! So word to the wise when eating a stuffed artichoke- only the “meat” at the bottom of the leaf is the yummy part!! Just scrape it off the tough leaf and enjoy!!

Below is the recipe for my stuffed and grilled artichoke, I hope you enjoy! I hope to get the recipe for MOM’s marinated artichokes which are great on the grill- especially with grilled tomatoes in the summer…I will keep you updated on my coercion techniques to get it out of mom…and will post it too!!

Stuffed and Grilled Artichoke

Pantry List:

1/2 c Italian seasoned breadcrumbs (I always use Progresso...'cause I am biased like that!)

1/4 c Ricotta cheese

1 tbsp Parmesan cheese, grated

1/2 tsp dried Oregano

1/2 tsp dried Basil

salt and pepper to taste

1 Lemon

1 Artichoke

Here we go!!!:

1. Start your grill (I always use charcoal...because I am addicted to carcinogens) for a medium-low temp.
2. Wash off the artichoke and pat dry with a towel. Using kitchen scissors, trim the tops off the leaves, and cut the stem at the base leaving a flat bottom.
3. Prepare your steamer on the stove...(Kristen- grab a pot with the holes in it, place in in another pot without holes. Add water, not enough to seep through the inside pot, cover with lid, and place on stove over medium-high heat.)
4. Mix the 1st six ingredients in a small bowl, then add the juice from 1/2 of the the lemon.
5. Stuff the mixture in-between the leaves of the artichoke, and drizzle remaining juice over the top.
6. Steam the choke for 25 min, then place on the grill over indirect heat for 20 min.
7. To test for doneness- the leaves should pull easily from the base of the artichoke.
   
   I hope you all try this and enjoy!! Please let me know if you do!!

-Katie