Artichoke spread

6 Servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
Stephen Ceideburg
4largesArtichokes
2cupsWater
1Lemon, juice only
2cupsVegetable or chicken stock
1Bay leaf
2Garlic cloves, finely chopped
1Shallot, finely chopped
1tablespoonExtra-virgin olive oil
1tablespoonChopped fresh thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
1Lemon, zest only
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Directions

Remove and discard all but the tenderest inner leaves from the artichokes. Cut artichoke into quarters and remove the fuzz choke.

Chop the hearts into ¼-inch dice and place in water mixed with the lemon juice to vent discoloration. Drain.

Heat the olive oil in a saucepan. Add the garlic, shallots and artichokes and saute a few minutes. Add the stock and bay leaf. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer until the artichokes are tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Drain, reserving the liquid. Remove and discard the bay leaf,

Place artichokes, garlic, shallot, lemon zest and thyme in a food processor. Puree to a smooth paste, adding reserved cooking liquid as necessary to make a spreadable consistency. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Cover and chill.

Yields 1 cup.

PER TABLESPOON: 20 calories, 1 g protein, 3 g carbohydrate, 1 g fat (0 g saturated), 0 mg cholesterol, 14 mg sodium, 1 g fiber, Robin Davis writing in the San Francisco Chronicle, 3/24/93.

Posted by Stephen Ceideburg