PAN ROASTED BABY ARTICHOKES

PAN ROASTED BABY ARTICHOKES image

Yield 4-6

Number Of Ingredients 9

24 baby artichokes, about 3 pounds
Juice of 1 lemon
Olive oil
Salt and pepper
Red pepper flakes
4 garlic cloves, chopped fine
3 tablespoons chopped flat-leaf parsley
Coarse sea salt
Lemon wedges or red wine vinegar, for serving.

Steps:

1. Peel off and discard a few outer petals of the artichokes until you reach the pale, tender center. Trim the top and stem end, then quarter each artichoke. There should be no discernible choke, but if there is, remove it with a paring knife. Put the artichokes in a bowl of cold water to which the lemon juice has been added. 2. In a wide, heavy, nonaluminum skillet, heat a 1/2 inch of olive oil over medium heat. Drain and blot the artichokes and, when the oil is nearly smoking, carefully add them to the skillet. Season well with salt and pepper, stirring to coat with oil. Let the artichokes brown slightly, stirring occasionally, for 5 to 7 minutes, until they are tender when probed with a paring knife. 3. Add the red pepper, garlic and parsley. Stir well and let sizzle for a minute or so. Transfer the artichokes to a platter, sprinkle with coarse salt and serve with lemon wedges, or sprinkle sparingly with red wine vinegar. Eat hot, or at room temperature.