Baked Artichokes

SERVING SIZE:

2-4 as a side

INGREDIENTS:

2 artichokes

1 lemon

2 cloves garlic, minced

2-3 basil leaves, minced

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 cup vegetable or chicken stock

We love this fool-proof technique for cooking artichokes. The addition of the garlic-basil rub makes this side dish irresistible!

INSTRUCTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Trim the top inch off the artichokes and the stem if it's long. Wash the artichokes well in cool water. Using a sharp knife, slice the artichoke down the center to form two halves.

Clean out all the fuzzy material and smaller leaves (we used a spoon and our fingers), then immediately rub all the cut areas with a lemon to prevent browning.

In a small bowl, combine the garlic, basil, olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Mix until it becomes a paste. Spoon the mixture into the artichoke halves and over the leaves, about a teaspoon for each artichoke.

Spray a baking dish with cooking spray and place the artichokes cut-side up in the dish. Pour the vegetable or chicken broth in the dish and cover with a lid or tin foil.

Bake for 45 or until soft and tender and the leaves pull away easily.