Delicious Baked Baby Artichokes

This turned out amazing!

    You will need: 

12-15 baby artichokes

Several tbsps Olive Oil 

Lemon

2 tbsp butter

8 fresh sage leaves

parmesan cheese

1 tspn minced garlic

1/8 cup chicken stock 

or water

salt & pepper

cayenne (optional)

Italian seasoned or plain bread crumbs 

If seasoning your own bread crumbs, you will also need:

                                                                                       garlic powder

                                                                                       parsley flakes

                                                                                       cayenne (optional)

    

Ahhh.... I Love Jamie Oliver! I wasn't looking forward to explaining how to prepare Artichokes for cooking... (smile) He kept it simple & to the point click below...
  www.jamieoliver.com/foodwise/article-view.php?id=131  This is where you'll use the lemon..

So after you have prepared the artichokes for cooking. Preheat oven to 350. On the stove top bring to a boil, enough water to just cover the artichokes. (They'll actually float) Simmer 8-10 minutes. Drain & place in a shallow baking dish. I didn't do this, this time but wish I had. If you are using larger artichokes follow Jamie's instructions on removing the choke & prickly inner leaves. http://www.jamieoliver.com/foodwise/article-view.php?id=131The artichokes I used were just a little bigger than the nice baby ones that don't have to be gutted. Add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the dish and add equal parts water. Bake for about 20 minutes and then turn them over. Raise heat to 400 and cook another 20 minutes. If there is water left after the 20 minutes. Drain the majority of it off and sprinkle the whole thing with the bread crumb mixture. Evenly place the fresh sage leaves and butter on top and put back into the oven for 10-15 minutes or until golden brown. You may need to add a splash of chicken stock so the bottom doesn't burn. When it is done you can test one for prickly leaves by cutting one in in half before eating. But if you are using baby artichokes and you boiled them first they should be perfect for eating as is.

In a bowl add the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese & spices to taste if you are not using pre-seasoned bread crumbs. Also add the the raw minced garlic to the bread crumbs.