Fried Artichokes

Serves: 4

Darlene Legros

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

54

Spice

52

Sweetness

48

Sourness

44

mins

Prep time (avg)

4.5

Difficulty

Ingredients:

6 cups

Olive Oil

Directions:

1

Fill a large bowl with cold water and squeeze juice from 2 lemon halves into bowl

2

Keep stem attached and, at opposite end, cut off top inch of 1 artichoke with a serrated knife

3

Bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base, then discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until you reach pale yellow leaves with pale green tips

4

Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and side of artichoke with a paring knife, then rub cut surfaces with a remaining lemon half

5

Trim 1/4 inch from end of stem to expose inner core

6

Trim sides of stem (still attached) down to pale inner core (don't worry if remaining stem is very thin)

7

Cut off pale green top of artichoke, then cut artichoke lengthwise into 6 wedges

8

Cut out purple leaves and fuzzy choke

9

Rub cut surfaces with remaining lemon half and put in bowl of acidulated water

10

Trim remaining artichokes in same manner

11

Drain artichokes well on paper towels and pat dry

12

Heat oil in a 4-quart deep heavy saucepan over moderate heat until thermometer registers 220°F, then simmer artichokes in oil, gently stirring occasionally, until tender, about 15 minutes

13

Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain

14

Continue to heat oil over moderate heat until thermometer registers 375°F, then fry artichokes in 4 batches until leaves are curled, browned, and crisp, 30 to 40 seconds

15

(Return oil to 375°F between batches

16

) Drain well on paper towels and season with salt

17

Fill a large bowl with cold water and squeeze juice from 2 lemon halves into bowl

18

Keep stem attached and, at opposite end, cut off top inch of 1 artichoke with a serrated knife

19

Bend back outer leaves until they snap off close to base, then discard several more layers of leaves in same manner until you reach pale yellow leaves with pale green tips

20

Trim dark green fibrous parts from base and side of artichoke with a paring knife, then rub cut surfaces with a remaining lemon half

21

Trim 1/4 inch from end of stem to expose inner core

22

Trim sides of stem (still attached) down to pale inner core (don't worry if remaining stem is very thin)

23

Cut off pale green top of artichoke, then cut artichoke lengthwise into 6 wedges

24

Cut out purple leaves and fuzzy choke

25

Rub cut surfaces with remaining lemon half and put in bowl of acidulated water

26

Trim remaining artichokes in same manner

27

Drain artichokes well on paper towels and pat dry

28

Heat oil in a 4-quart deep heavy saucepan over moderate heat until thermometer registers 220°F, then simmer artichokes in oil, gently stirring occasionally, until tender, about 15 minutes

29

Transfer with a slotted spoon to paper towels to drain

30

Continue to heat oil over moderate heat until thermometer registers 375°F, then fry artichokes in 4 batches until leaves are curled, browned, and crisp, 30 to 40 seconds

31

(Return oil to 375°F between batches

32

) Drain well on paper towels and season with salt