ROASTED ARTICHOKES WITH ANCHOVY MAYONNAISE

Roasted Artichokes With Anchovy Mayonnaise image

You may see artichokes in the supermarket year-round, but in the spring, they are at their peak, freshly harvested and full of flavor. This is an easy method for roasted artichokes. After trimming and par-cooking them, they are drizzled with olive oil and roasted until crisp without and tender within. Serve them as a first course, or alongside a meaty piece of fish, such as monkfish, swordfish or halibut. The zesty, lemony anchovy mayonnaise is a perfect foil for the artichokes' sweetness, and goes well with fish, too. You can use any size artichoke for this recipe, but medium is best.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories lunch, vegetables, appetizer, side dish

Time 1h30m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 14

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Ingredients

1 large lemon
4 medium artichokes (about 2 pounds)
Salt and pepper
1 large bunch thyme sprigs
Extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons roughly chopped parsley, for garnish
1 cup mayonnaise, preferably homemade
6 anchovy fillets, rinsed, blotted and finely chopped
1 teaspoon capers, rinsed, blotted and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon grated lemon zest and 2 tablespoons juice (from 1 lemon)
1/2 teaspoon grated garlic (from about 2 medium cloves)
Pinch of ground cayenne
Salt and pepper, to taste
Lemon wedges (optional)

Steps:

Prepare the artichokes: Fill a large bowl with cold water. Cut the lemon into quarters, and squeeze the juice from each quarter into the water. (This acidulated water will keep the artichokes from discoloring.)
Snap off a few of the tough outer leaves (bracts) near the stem of each artichoke. Cut each artichoke in half from top to bottom, and lay the halves cut-side down on a cutting board.
Using a sharp vegetable peeler and working one half at a time, trim the rough edges and the stems. Cut 1/4 inch from the bottom of the stem and 1/2 inch from the top of each half. Turn the halves over and use a teaspoon or melon baller to remove the hairy "choke." Place trimmed artichoke halves in the lemon water. Leave them in the lemon water until ready to cook.
Heat oven to 425 degrees. Bring a large pot of well-salted water to a boil. Add drained artichoke halves and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove and place artichoke halves cut-side up in a stainless steel roasting pan or ceramic baking dish, in one layer.
Tuck thyme sprigs under artichokes, and sprinkle artichokes with salt and pepper. Drizzle generously with olive oil, about 1 1/2 teaspoons per halved artichoke. Bake, uncovered and brushing with oil from the pan occasionally, until nicely browned, 30 to 40 minutes.
As artichokes roast, make the anchovy mayonnaise: Put mayonnaise in a bowl and stir in chopped anchovies and capers, lemon zest and juice, garlic, cayenne and a little salt and pepper. Let sit for 5 minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning.
When artichokes are ready, transfer to a serving platter or individual plates. Brush lightly with oil from the pan. Sprinkle with parsley and serve anchovy mayonnaise and lemon wedges, if you like, on the side.