Braising brings out the amazing flavor of artichokes

This week grocery shopping, I decided to part with my usual organized self and go without a list. Scary, I know. I am not abandoning my usually weekly menu planning, I am just doing it a little backward. I decided to go to the store and pick out the things that looked good, were in season or, in some cases, more affordable (let's admit that has to be considered more and more these days).

The one thing I knew was that I wanted to make a new artichoke dish, and lucky for me artichokes are in season and they looked good. Making artichokes usually means bringing a pot of water to a boil, then cooking the artichokes for 45 minutes to an hour. Not this dish. Braising artichokes does not require boiling water or cooking for a long period of time. Braising brings out amazing flavor that puts the artichokes over the top. Butter and mayonnaise, no need! Save those calories and grams of fat but get a punch of flavor.

First, how to prepare an artichoke (on my blog I have some step-by-step photos and my wonderful friend Tara helped me - thank you!):

1. Cut about 1⁄3 off the top of the artichoke.

2. Cut the stem leaving about 1⁄2 inch or so on the bottom.

3. Peel off the tough outer leaves. Peel the leaf bending it back and the good part at the bottom of the leaf will stay on while the inedible part will come right off.

4. Snip off the tip of the remaining leaves, to remove the thistles.

5. With a pairing knife trim off the outer portions of the stem and the tough/stringy green part left by the leaves you peeled.

6. Now turn the artichoke on its top and quarter the artichoke.

7. On the heart is a line where the little hairs start to form. Following that line cut toward the leaves and cut out all the hairs along with the bloom in the center (that inner part will bloom into a thistle flower if left on the bush).

8. Place the quartered artichokes in a bowl of lemon water to help stop the browning while you cut the rest of your artichokes

To prepare an artichoke whole, stop at Step 5 and steam or boil your artichokes. Also you could use a spoon to dig out the middle bloom and hairs and then stuff the artichoke with a cheese bread crumb mixture, or a mixture of your favorite herbs and butter.

BRAISED ARTICHOKES

4 artichokes (1 per person)

2 scallions, minced

1 garlic clove, minced

1⁄4 cup white wine

1⁄4 cup water

salt and pepper

(add-ins: chopped kalamata olives, herbs de Provence, capers, tomatoes, a mixture of your favorite herbs, thyme, basil, oregano.)

Prepare your artichokes, and quarter them.

In a heavy skillet heat olive oil over medium heat and saute the shallots for 2 minutes, then add the garlic and saute until translucent.

Add the quartered artichokes and saute for 5 minutes.

Reduce the heat to medium-low and add the wine and water. Cover and cook for 20-30 minutes, until the artichokes are soft and leaves pulls off easily. I like to brown the artichokes up a bit at this point.

I like to serve this with crusty basil-garlic bread or as a side dish to grilled pork chops or chicken.

• Amanda Skiba is passionate about cooking and posts her favorite recipes at www.stuffurface.wordpress.com.