Braised Artichokes With Tomatoes And Mint Recipes

Steps:

• Place tomatoes in a large Dutch oven or other heavy pot, crushing with your hands; add wine, red pepper flakes, 2 tsp. salt, 1/2 cup oil, and 2 cups water; set aside.
• Pulse anchovies and garlic in a food processor until finely chopped. Add mint and pulse until coarsely chopped. With the motor running, stream in remaining 1/2 cup oil; process until a coarse paste forms. Set pesto aside.
• Remove several layers of dark-green outer leaves from artichokes (keep going until you get to the tender light-green leaves). Using a serrated knife, cut off top 1" of artichokes and trim stem ends. Rub cut ends with lemon halves to prevent browning. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, use a paring knife or vegetable peeler to remove tough outer green layer from base and stem to reveal pale-green underneath; rub all over with lemon. Halve through stem and rub cut sides with more lemon. Use a spoon to scoop out choke, then pull out spiky inner leaves; rub insides with lemon. Rub reserved pesto all over artichoke halves and place artichokes in a single layer inside reserved pot, submerging in tomato mixture.
• Bring to a simmer over medium-low and cook, turning artichokes occasionally, until hearts are fork-tender, 55-65 minutes. Transfer artichokes to a platter and tent with foil to keep warm.
• Increase heat to medium, bring sauce to a boil, and cook until slightly thickened, 10-15 minutes. Taste and season with more salt if needed. Spoon over artichokes.

Steps:

• Fill a bowl with water and add the fresh lemon juice. Remove the outer leaves of the artichokes and cut off the tops of the inner, more tender leaves. Discard. Cut the stem from the inner crown. Rub the cut pieces with lemon and place in the lemon water.With a small paring knife, remove the darker green, outer layer from the stems and bottom of the crowns and discard. Scrape the choke from the inner crown and discard. Return the cut pieces to the lemon water.Remove the pieces from the lemon water, pat dry, quarter the artichoke crowns and cut the stems in half.
• In a large, wide saute pan or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the whole garlic clove and toast in the oil until fragrant and golden brown. Add the bay leaves and sprigs of fresh thyme, saute for a few minutes. Add the red chile flakes. Remove the garlic clove and discard.Lay the cut stems and crowns in the olive oil. Season the artichokes with salt to taste. Gently brown the artichokes, taking care to rotate to promote even cooking about 5 to 6 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-low. Add the olives, anchovy fillets and tomato confit. Pour in the white wine. Braise the artichokes over medium-low heat until tender and cooked through, about 15 minutes.
• Once the artichokes are cooked, remove from the heat. Chop and add the mint leaves and serve immediately.