Braised Artichokes

Braised artichokes make for a tasty and elegant dish that can be enjoyed as a side or even a main course. Here's a recipe to help you prepare braised artichokes:

Ingredients:

• 4 medium-sized artichokes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 lemon, halved
• 1 cup vegetable broth or chicken broth
• 1/2 cup white wine (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh herbs (such as parsley or thyme), chopped (optional)

Instructions:

1. Start by preparing the artichokes. Trim off the tough outer leaves of each artichoke until you reach the more tender, pale green leaves. Cut off the top inch of each artichoke and trim the stem, leaving about an inch attached. Use a vegetable peeler to remove any tough outer layers from the stem.
2. Fill a large bowl with water and squeeze the juice of one lemon into it. This acidulated water will help prevent the artichokes from turning brown.
3. Place each prepared artichoke in the acidulated water to prevent browning while you work on the others.
4. In a large skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and sauté for about 1 minute until fragrant.
5. Remove one artichoke from the water and shake off any excess liquid. Place it in the skillet, cut side down, and repeat with the remaining artichokes. Sauté them for 3 to 4 minutes until they start to brown slightly.
6. Pour in the vegetable broth and white wine (if using). The liquid should come about halfway up the sides of the artichokes. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Cover the skillet or Dutch oven and reduce the heat to low. Allow the artichokes to simmer for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until they become tender when pierced with a fork. Cooking time may vary depending on the size of the artichokes.
8. Once the artichokes are cooked, remove them from the skillet and set them aside. Increase the heat to medium-high and cook the remaining liquid for a few minutes until it reduces and thickens slightly.
9. Return the artichokes to the skillet and toss them gently in the reduced sauce to coat them evenly. This will enhance the flavor.
10. Sprinkle the chopped fresh herbs, if using, over the braised artichokes for added freshness and aroma.
11. Serve the braised artichokes as a side dish or as a main course with crusty bread, rice, or quinoa.

Enjoy your delicious braised artichokes!