Recipe - Artichokes Stuffed With Herbed Goat Cheese

2 md Artichokes; (About One half Lb.
Each)
4 ounce Chevre Cheese; Softened
2 teaspoon Fresh Herbs; Chopped
1 tablespoon Fresh Chives; Chopped
2 small Cloves Garlic; Finely Minced
1 pn Black Pepper; Freshly Ground
1 small Baguette

Prepare and cook medium artichokes as directed remove any stem to form a
flat base. (Scrape off stem's fibrous skin with a vegetable peeler and cook
along with the globe, or use it as an ingredient in a stuffing or saute.)
Cut straight across the artichoke, removing about the top third of the
leaves. Using kitchen shears, trim off the torny tips of the other leaves.
Turn the artichokes upside down in water, and shake well to wash off any
pesticides, dirt, and insects. Cut artichokes tend to darken quickly, so as
soon as they are trimmed and washed, place them in a mixture of 2 T of
lemon juice or vinegar per quart of water while you finish your recipe
preparation. Usually place trimmed artichokes leaf side down in poaching
liquid. Cover and simmer over medium to low heat from about 3040 minutes.

Cool, then remove choke and scrape out thistle. Set aside. Preheat oven to
375. In a small bowl, combine chevre with herbs, chives, garlic and black
pepper.

Fill cavity of artichoke with cheese mixture, and spoon some in between
leaves. Place artichokes in a shallow pan and bake in oven for about 15
minutes, or until goat cheese is thoroughly warm. Serve with handtorn
pieces of bread.

Shared by Jill Proehl, REG 2 St. Louis, MO

NOTES : For Herb Mix, it is recommended you use a combination of oregano,
basil, marjoram, and parsley. To stuff grab hold of the choke, willfully
pulling it out. Dig down with a small knife or serrated grapefruit spoon
and remove the thistle. To make it easier, parboil the artichoke for about
10 minutes, turn leaf side down and press firmly on the base of the heart,
spreading leaves and opening choke area for removal and stuffing.
Recipe by: Shape Cooks, Spring 1998

Posted to MCRecipe Digest by Jill Proehl jpxtwo@swbell.net on Feb 24,
1998