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Archive for Vegetables: Artichokes

Mediterranean Veggie Israeli Couscous


By Leslie · Comments (4) · April 25th, 2012

When I think of comfort food, a meal like this comes to my thoughts.  This dish is hearty, healthy, and jam packed with flavor!  It’s simple and yet has lots going on.  It comes together so quickly it’s perfect for that last minute weeknight meal.  And having prepared tomato sauce stored in your freezer is perfect for a recipe like this!

Mediterranean Veggie Israeli Couscous

Serves 4-6

What you’ll need:

2 cups Israeli couscous

4 cups vegetable stock

1 medium onion, diced

4 cloves garlic, chopped

2 zucchini, halved and sliced

1 15 oz. can of quartered artichokes, drained and rinsed well

1 cup tomato sauce (my recipe or yours)

1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted

2 large tomatoes, diced

6 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced

olive oil

salt

What you’ll do:

In a medium saucepan, boil the vegetable broth, add the israeli couscous, cover, and reduce the heat to a simmer.  Let cook for 8-10 minutes or until all the liquid has absorbed.

While the couscous is cooking, in a large frying pan saute the onion and garlic in a few tablespoons of olive oil and a big pinch of salt.  Saute until the onion starts to turn soft.  Add in the zucchini and artichokes and saute 2 minutes.  Next, add in the tomato sauce.

When the couscous is done, pour all of it right into the frying pan with the veggies.  Also add in the pine nuts and diced tomatoes.  Toss all together.  Taste and season with salt and pepper.   Serve warm with the fresh basil over it.

Enjoy!

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Comments (4)
Categories : Ethnic: Mediterranean, featured, recipes, Vegan, Vegetables: Artichokes, Vegetables: Zucchini

Spinach Artichoke Dip


By Leslie · Comments (6) · October 11th, 2010

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I don't know if there is a person on earth left that hasn't tried or made spinach artichoke dip, but how can you resist?  It's so good!  Whenever I make this for a crowd, I always have to place it at the opposite side of a party from me or I'm afraid I'd eat the whole thing : )

So, whether you have your own recipe for this or not, this is the way I make it and I hope you enjoy!

Spinach Artichoke Dip

What you’ll need:

1 14oz can of Artichoke hearts, drained and chopped

1 10oz package of frozen spinach, thawed and strained or fresh spinach that has been cooked, drained and chopped

1 cup mayonnaise or veganaise

1 cup grated parmesan cheese

2 ½ cups shredded Monterey jack cheese

Options that I add in when I feel like it: 1/2 diced purple onion, a dash of cayenne pepper, or some diced water chestnuts.

What you’ll do:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease a 1 quart baking dish.  Mix artichoke hearts, spinach, mayo, parmesan cheese, and 2 cups of Monterey jack cheese in a bowl.  Then pour mixture into baking dish and sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Bake for about 15 minutes or until cheese is melted and bubbling : )

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Tools I used:

Baking Dish

Lesliesarnasig

 

Comments (6)
Categories : Appetizers, Dips, Vegetables: Artichokes, Vegetables: Spinach

Artichokes on the mind. . .


By Leslie · Comments (2) · July 12th, 2010

I've been so into artichokes recently.  Well, actually, I'm always into artichokes, but I just can't go to the store without buying one these days.  I always try to mix up how I make them.  Sometimes I steam, bake or grill.  And what I serve it with always changes : )  

Some of my favorite dips for artichokes are marinara sauce, butter, pesto aioli and this magical dipping sauce!

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Magical Dipping Sauce

What you'll need:

1/2 cup mayo (or in my case veganaise)

1 heaping tsp. whole grain mustard

a handful of fresh parsley, chopped

about 1/8 cup chopped chives or purple onions

a pinch of salt

a pinch of paprika

a pinch of pepper

a pinch of cayenne (optional)

What you'll do:

Mix it all up in a bowl and serve alongside a warm artichoke.

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Lesliesarnasig

 

Comments (2)
Categories : Vegetables: Artichokes

Orzo Pasta Salad


By Leslie · Comments (4) · June 22nd, 2010

I love this salad!!  It's so easy and always a hit!  Give it a try for your next potluck or get together.

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  Orzo Pasta Salad 

What you'll need:

 1 lb. orzo (pasta shaped like rice) 

 2 small jars of marinated artichokes, drained 

1 jar of marinated sun dried tomatoes, drained and rinsed 

 2 big handfuls of pignoli (pine) nuts, toasted 

 A large handful of chopped basil 

 A couple handfuls of mini mozzarella balls (you could also use feta, or cubed mozzarella) 

 Salt and pepper 

 Champagne vinegar (if you can't find this, you can use white wine vinegar) 

 Olive oil 

What you'll do:

Cook the orzo according to the box instructions.  Drain and rinse the pasta in cold water to cool the pasta quickly.  Pour into a big bowl and add all the ingredients but the cheese.  Dress with the oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.  Toss together and add the cheese and gently stir. (you can make this a day ahead too!)

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Lesliesarnasig

Comments (4)
Categories : Pasta, Side Dishes, Vegetables: Artichokes, Vegetables: Tomato

Artichokes


By Leslie · Comments (4) · March 24th, 2010

Making artichokes got you stumped?  Have no fear, it's really easy!  Here's a step by step to make it simple!

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First pull off the small leaves from the bottom:

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With a pair of kitchen shears, carefully snip off all the spikey tips.
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They slice off about 1/2 inch from the top to get the rest of the spikey tips.
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Using your fingers, pull back the leaves to get some space in there. 
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Now you can reach some of the inside leaves to trip off their spikes.
    
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Now, there are tons of ways to cook your artichoke, you could steam it in a pot on the stove, you can cut it in half and grill it or you can use this super simple technique to bake it:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Place your artichoke in the middle of a piece of foil and drizzle with some olive oil and salt.
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Now, wrap it in foil and then wrap it in a second sheet of foil.  
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Pop it in the oven for 1 hour and 15 minutes
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And there you have it.  Much easier than you thought right?

My favorite things to serve with an artichoke are dipping sauces.  You can dip it in just about anything, but I like, melted butter, veganaise, bearnaise sauce, or if you want to go super healthy, dip in marinara sauce, it's awesome!

Comments (4)
Categories : Vegetables: Artichokes

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