This dish accents the meatiness of the artichoke. Braised slowly with the tomatoes, it develops a harmonious flavor, sweet with a refreshing licorice finish. Since this recipe calls for a lot of artichokes, I make it when they are plentiful. Serve with a piece of grilled meat or fish, or make some extra to spread on bread as an appetizer. Use as a dressing for pasta, or to make a risotto. These braised artichokes can be frozen, so make a big batch to pull out when unexpected guests come by.

　　

Ingredients

serves 6

　　3 pounds small artichokes (or more if using large ones; see Preparing Artichokes, page 213)

　　1 lemon for acidulated water

　　1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling on the cooked artichokes

　　8 garlic cloves, peeled and crushed

　　1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt or kosher salt, or to taste

　　1/2 teaspoon peperoncino flakes, or to taste

　　4 cups (or a 35-ounce can) canned Italian plum tomatoes, preferably San Marzano, crushed by hand

　　1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves, loosely packed

　　2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley

　　

Recommended Equipment

A heavy-bottomed skillet or sauté pan, 12-inch diameter or larger, with a cover

　　

Step 1

Trim the artichokes, and cut them into wedges about 2 inches wide; keep them in acidulated water (see Preparing Artichokes, page 213).

　　

Step 2

Pour the olive oil into the skillet, drop in the garlic cloves, and set over medium-high heat. Cook 2 to 3 minutes, stirring occasionally.

　　

Step 3

When the garlic is just starting to color, lift the artichokes from the acidulated water and drop them into the skillet. Cover the pan immediately, and let the artichokes steam in the moisture for a minute or two.

　　

Step 4

Lower the heat a bit, stir the artichokes, and season them with 1/4 teaspoon salt and the peperoncino. Cover the skillet again, and cook the artichokes for about 5 minutes, then pour in the crushed tomatoes, stir well, cover once more, and raise the heat to bring the liquid to a boil. Season with another 1/4 teaspoon salt; scatter in the mint leaves and 1 tablespoon of the chopped parsley.

　　

Step 5

Lower the heat to keep the tomatoes bubbling gently, cover the skillet, and let the artichokes cook, stirring occasionally, until thoroughly softened—their thickest leaves should be flat and floppy—45 minutes or more. Remove the cover and cook rapidly, reducing the sauce to half the original volume, so it coats the artichokes thickly.

　　

Step 6

Just before serving—from the skillet, or a warm platter if you prefer—drizzle over the artichokes a spoonful or two of olive oil and sprinkle with the remaining chopped parsley

　　From Lidia's Italy by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich. Copyright (c) 2007 by Lidia Matticchio Bastianich. Published by Knopf.Lidia Bastianich hosts the hugely popular PBS show, "Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen" and owns restaurants in New York City, Kansas City, and Pittsburgh. Also the author of Lidia's Italian Table and Lidia's Italian-American Kitchen, she lives in Douglaston, New York.