---------- Recipe via Meal-Master (tm) v8.05
 
      Title: Artichoke Paste
 Categories: Ornish, Appetizers, Vegan
      Yield: 1 Cup
 
      4    Giant artichokes (to 5)
           Juice of 1 lemon
      3 lg Pieces of lemon peel
      2 tb Finely diced onion or
           -shallots
      2    Garlic cloves, thinly sliced
      1    Bay leaf
      3    Sprigs of thyme, or a couple
           -of pinches dried
      1 sm Branch of tarragon or
           1/4 teaspoon dried
      4    Sprigs of parsley
           Salt
           Freshly  ground black pepper
           Fresh lemon juice or
           -tarragon vinegar to taste
           Chopped chervil or tarragon
           -for garnish
 
  Trim the artichokes down to their hearts (they can be quartered) ad set
  them in a bowl of water acidulated with the lemon juice as you work. Use a
  pan large enough to hold all the artichokes in a single layer. Add water
  just to cover and add the lemon peel, onion, garlic, bay leaf, thyme,
  tarragon, and parsley.  Bring to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer,
  adding small amounts of water as needed, until the artichokes are tender
  and just a few tablespoons of liquid remain.
  
  Remove the bay leaf, lemon, parsley, and thyme branches.  Transfer the
  artichokes to a food paocessor and puree, adding the remaining pan juices
  as needed to thin the mixture.  If any fibers from the artichokes remain,
  pass the puree through a food mill.  Season to taste with salt and pepper.
  Add a little lemon juice or vinegar to sharpen the flavors (again, do this
  to taste - the puree may already be fine as it is). Heap into a bowl and
  garnish with the chopped chervil or tarragon.
  
  *Note*  Artichokes make a subtle and delicate spread to serve with
  crackers.  The time to make this is whenthe large spring artichokes from
  California are available and inexpensive.  If it's available, garnish the
  spread with chopped chervil or tarragon.
  
  Serving size:  1/4 cup
       54    calories
      0.3    gram fat 0 mg. cholesterol 175 mg. sodium without added salt
 
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