What's for Sides? Nan's Delicious Artichokes!

We have lots of parties...it's what we like to do! A lot of the time we do kind of a pot-luck thing, where all of our friends bring food over and/or we cook together.  But sometimes we have parties that we do all the cooking.  At one of those parties, our annual Mardi Gras fete, my friend Nan came and brought me a little hostess gift.  She knows my love of food, so she brought a hand-written card of one of her favorite recipes, with some of the ingredients that go in it. It was such a cute idea and the recipe sounded great.  I FINALLY got around to making her dish last night, and wish I hadn't waited so long.  There's a reason she calls them her "delicious artichokes".  This was easy and really good!  All the flavors go perfectly together.  It's great as a side dish, and Sully and I thought it would be awesome as a stuffing for chicken, as well (just dice the artichokes up smaller).  Give it a try.  And next time you go to a party, try Nan's idea for a hostess gift...your friends will be grateful!  Enjoy!


Nan's Delicious Artichokes
Serves 4-6

• 4 TBSP olive oil, divided
• 4 anchovy fillets (don't be afraid, when cooked here, they taste nutty, not at all fishy!)
• 3 cloves garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 TBSP capers
• 4 oz fresh bread crumbs (take the extra time to throw some old bread in the food processor, it's worth it)
• 3 TBSP toasted pine nuts (throw them in the toaster oven for a few minutes...be sure not to burn!)
• 2 pkgs frozen artichoke hearts, thawed (or 3 pkgs of the fresh pack ones in the produce section at stores like the Fresh Market)
• 3 TBSP fresh parsley, minced
• salt and pepper to taste

Heat 3 TBSP olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium low heat and add anchovies.  Saute until anchovies melt into oil.  Add garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the red pepper flakes, capers and breadcrumbs.  Stir and keep on heat until bread is toasted, crispy and golden brown. Add pine nuts, salt, and pepper (be careful, anchovies are salty, so taste before you add more salt). Pour mixture into bowl and set aside.  Add additional TBSP oil and saute artichokes until they take on a bit of color and are tender.  Add reserved breadcrumb mixture and the parsley.  If you want, sprinkle with some Parmesan cheese. Serve!

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