| Ingredients
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Yield: 6 servings
• 6 artichoke bottoms, cooked and kept in stock
Spinach with Brown Butter
• 1-1/2 lb. spinach, washed
• Dash plus 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. ground black pepper
• 2 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1/4 c. grated Swiss cheese
Gratin Sauce
• 1 tbsp. unsalted butter
• 1 tbsp. flour
• 1 c. milk
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/8 tsp. ground black pepper
• Dash grated nutmeg
• 1/3 c. heavy cream
• 2 tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese
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Jacques Pépin's Easter Celebration
Artichoke Bottoms with Brown Butter Spinach
In this recipe, fresh, tender artichoke bottoms
are stuffed with spinach that is lightly sautéed in tangy brown butter and
served with a creamy gratin sauce. This elegant dish makes an excellent
accompaniment to most roast meat and poultry.
Preparation
For the artichokes:
To prepare the artichoke bottoms,
first remove the stem. Break the leaves off the base of the artichoke,
until you have a conical shape.
Cut off the central core of the leaves just above the heart, leaving the choke
attached; it will be removed after cooking. Trim the base of the artichoke
with a small knife or vegetable peeler.
Arrange the artichokes in one layer in a saucepan with a little
oil, water, lemon juice, and a dash of salt, and cook, covered,
for 20-25 minutes, until tender when pierced with the point of a knife.
When cool enough to handle, remove the choke with a spoon.
Pour the cooking liquid over the artichokes and set aside.
For the spinach with brown butter:
Put the spinach in a skillet, add a dash of salt, and cook, covered,
for 3-4 minutes, stirring occasionally, until wilted and soft. Drain.
Using a spoon, press to extract excess water. Chop the spinach,
and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Heat the butter until dark brown in a skillet,
then add the spinach. Break up with a fork, and sauté until just heated.
Reheat the artichokes in their liquid, and drain. Arrange them in a gratin dish,
and spoon equal portions of spinach into them.
Press the Swiss cheese on top of the spinach.
For the gratin sauce:
Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan, and add flour.
Mix with a whisk and cook over med. heat for 10 seconds.
Add the milk all at once, and mix with the whisk.
Add the salt, pepper, and nutmeg, and stir until sauce boils.
Reduce the heat, and boil gently for 30 seconds.
Add the cream, stir, and remove from heat.
Preheat the broiler. Coat the artichokes with the sauce,
and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese. Heat under the broiler for 3-4 minutes,
until browned. Serve.
View Spring Recipes: 1 | 2 | 3
Recipe courtesy of Alfred A. Knopf, ©2001 Jacques Pépin
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 Recipe Slideshow |
Artichoke bottoms are often used in elegant meals,
as a side dish or garnish, but most often as receptacles. Filled with poached or scrambled eggs,
mushrooms, or spinach, they can be served as a first course or
accompaniment to most roast meat and poultry.
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| Technique Slideshow |
• preparing an artichoke
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Jacques' Tip:
Artichokes that are starting to yellow and lose firmness
are less expensive and ideal for preparing artichoke bottoms.
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Jacques Pépin's Easter Celebration
• Caviar with Blini and Frozen Vodka
• Salmon in Sorrel Sauce
• Lamb Loins in Ambush with Fava Beans Neyron and
Leek-and-Mushroom Pie
• Eggplant "Cushions" with Stewed Tomatoes
• Artichoke Bottoms with Brown Butter Spinach
• Salad
• Caramel Snow Eggs
• Chocolate-Oatmeal Cookies
Wines
• Nicolas Feuillatte Palmes d'Or
• Chablis Laurent Tribut '97
• Cambria Syrah '98
See TV episode description
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