Parmesan Stuffed Roasted Artichokes

stuffed-artichoke

I love artichokes.  I usually get them in cans, so I considered it a challenge to learn how to prepare whole artichokes at home.  I recently spotted a 3-pack of artichokes at our local ALDI grocery store for just $1.59.  For me, it was the perfect opportunity to experiment!  I had previously tried to make roasted artichoke appetizer without much success.  My failing had to do with the fact that I didn’t cook the artichoke long enough.  I find it tastes the best when you boil it before you roast it… and quite a while.   If I were to do this again, I’d cut even more of the artichoke off the top.  The fleshy, tender heart is what tastes good.

Parmesan Stuffed Roasted Artichokes
 

An easy introduction to roasting artichokes
Ingredients
  • 3 artichokes
  • ½ C. breadcrumbs (I used Panko crumbs)
  • ⅓ C. Parmesan cheese
  • 2-3 garlic cloves, minced
  • ½ tsp. salt
  • Olive oil
Instructions
  1. Cut off the stems, bottoms, and top ⅓ of the leaves of the artichokes. Tear off the hard outer leaves.
  2. Boil for about 30 minutes until tender. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 400 degrees.
  3. Pry the leaves apart in order to stuff with filling. Sprinkle bread crumb/parmesan mixture over the top and press into leaves. Bake for 25 minutes at 400.
  4. To eat them, pick off a leaf and eat the soft inner portion. The harder outer edges of the leaves serve as a “handle” for them, for lack of a better way to put it.

parmesan roasted artichoke recipe parmesan roasted artichoke recipeparmesan roasted artichoke recipe parmesan roasted artichoke recipe parmesan roasted artichoke recipe

(Better Than) Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip

applebee's spinach and artichoke dip

(Better Than) Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip

I’ve heard people say they’re nuts about the Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip.  I’m really not much of a fan of chain restaurants.  We have an Applebee’s in our town and I think I’ve only been there a few times (only because someone else chose the location).  I have nothing against Applebee’s.  We just choose to frequent mom and pop restaurants (see our road trip family rules).

Forget the chains.  I have a Spinach and Artichoke Dip recipe that I would put up against any restaurant recipe.  Honestly, I’ve never come across a better version.  Yes, I’m bragging.

Frugal Tip:  Instead of going out to eat, invite another couple over this weekend.  This is the perfect thing to serve at a casual party.  In my opinion, it’s so much more fun (and frugal) to invite people over to your home instead of going out to a restaurant.

(Better Than) Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke Dip
 
Do you love Applebee’s Spinach and Artichoke dip? This version is even better!
Ingredients
  • 1 14-oz. can artichokes, drained and chopped
  • ½ of a 10-oz. package frozen spinach, thawed and drained (re-freeze the remainder to use the next time)
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ½ C. sour cream
  • ¼ C. mayonnaise
  • ¼ C. cream cheese, softened
  • ¼ C. Romano cheese, grated
  • ¼ C. Parmesan cheese, grated
  • Panko bread crumbs (optional)
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
  2. Combine all ingredients except for the Parmesan cheese and mix well.
  3. Spread the dip in a baking dish and top with Parmesan cheese. Next, sprinkle Panko bread crumbs on top with a little pat of butter here and there.
  4. Bake until completely heated through and the cheese begins to bubble and brown.
  5. Serve with crackers, cocktail rye, pita, tortilla chips or even veggies.

 

Turkey Artichoke Panini

turkey artichoke panini panera bread

I admit it, I’m not much of a sandwich person.  The idea of white, fluffy bread and poor-quality fillings doesn’t satisfy my hunger or my palate.   Gourmet sandwiches are another story.   If a sandwich has a beyond-the-basic spread, quality ingredients, and artisan bread… I’m in!

panini press

George Foreman Grill = Panini Press

I first mentioned my Turkey Artichoke Panini on the Mommysavers Frugal Forums, and someone said it sounded just like a Panera Copycat.  I’ve never had their version, but this one is really good!  I created this recipe almost entirely by chance.  I had made a big batch of my spinach artichoke dip for a party, and had some left over.  The next day, I used the dip along with some smoked turkey on a sandwich; and it was fabulous!  Since then, I’ve discovered that caramelized onions and red peppers make it even better.

This time around, I used Sam’s Club Castle Wood lunch meat.  It’s Sam’s private label brand, and it comes in wide variety of flavors and combo pack options.  I also picked up some focaccia bread to give it a true gourmet flair.  Feel free to use artistic license when you make this.  I’ve got the basic recipe for you to print out below, but add your own personal touch!  Different types of meats and cheese are fun alternatives to make it even better-tasting to you, personally.  My husband didn’t want the red peppers on his, so I created sandwich with them, and one without.  Both fabulous!

To see more photos of the sandwich creation process, view my Google+ Photo Album:  Turkey Artichoke Panini

Frugal Tips:  Don’t have a panini press?  You can use your George Foreman grill!

Castle Wood Turkey Artichoke Panini
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4
 
Ingredients
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 can artichokes, chopped
  • ¼ C. onion slices
  • 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
  • 3 oz. fresh spinach leaves
  • ⅓ C. cream cheese
  • ⅓ C. mayo
  • ½ C. Parmesan cheese
  • 1 round focaccia bread
  • Castle Wood turkey lunchmeat (at Sam’s Club)
  • Swiss cheese slices
  • Optional: roasted red peppers
Instructions
  1. In a skillet, heat onions in olive oil. Add garlic and spinach, toss until spinach is wilted. Add artichokes, cream cheese, mayo, and Parmesan cheese. Turn heat down to low and stir until ingredients are blended.
  2. Spread artichoke mixture on focaccia bread. Layer turkey lunchmeat and swiss cheese slices, and more spinach leaves and roasted red peppers if desired. Use a panini press or George Foreman grill to toast the bread.

 

sam's club castle wood lunch meat

turkey panini gourmet sandwich

turkey panini gourmet sandwich

turkey panini gourmet sandwich

turkey artichoke red pepper panini

Additional Resources:

Disclosure:  I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This content has been compensated as part of a social shopper insights study for Collective Bias™ and Sam’s Club Private Label #CBias #SocialFabric.  All opinions are my own.