15 March 2008

Taste & Create....Something Borrowed but not to Make you Blue



Stuffed Artichoke Bread


If life were spent blogging 24/7 we would be able to contribute to every blogging event and support each and every one of our blogging friends in their endeavours. Since I don't live in a perfect world, and actually have to keep my day jobs, I participate in the events that time allows, throwing in a social life once in a while as well. I am going to prepare everything I see out there that tickles my fancy so I will be a slave to the kitchen and see you in 50 years.

There is however an event in the blogosphere that I try not to miss. It is the brainchild of Myamii over at For the Love of Food . The premise is simple... we are paired with another blogger... we choose a recipe from their extensive posts...we prepare the dish and then... blog about it. I love this event because then I can showcase someone else's blog, a favourite dish or just "chat up" a friend. The blogosphere is filled with delicious recipes that are piling up waiting for me to try. It's time to get some of them out from the blogosphere amd into my kitchen!!!!


This month I have been paired with the very busy and hilarious Kelly at Sounding My Barbaric Gulp . She has a love for life and fabulous food which is evident on every page. She is a teacher and from what I gathered she worked weekends in the summer at a winery...my DREAM job!!!!! It is scary how similar our taste in food is ...there is nothing on her blog I wouldn't make twice. It was very difficult to narrow it down to just one dish.... Potage Parmentier , BLT Cheesecake , Spanakopita , Blue Goose Pie, Wine Braised Chicken with Garlic, Salmon Stuffed Puff Pastry...the list goes on. I finally decided upon an appetizer she made for the Port Club. It just sounded like something my friends and I would go for, with a nice glass of wine this evening. Her original recipe is here with tips.

**Stuffed Artichoke Bread**

Adapted from Midwestern Kitchens, everywhere

1 large loaf of sourdough or French bread (no baguettes)
1 12 oz can of artichoke hearts, packed in water
1 cup sour cream
¾ cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon kosher salt
½ teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon garlic powder
3-4 dashes Tabasco or Franks Red Hot
4 slices of Thick-Cut Bacon (my veggie friends can leave the bacon out:D)
2 tablespoons of Fresh Chives, minced (or 1 Tbs dried)
1 small shallot, diced
1 ½ cups grated Sharp Cheddar
¼ cup ground Parmesan
4 slices Aged Swiss Cheese, or 1 ripe tomato, sliced

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees F. Line a sheet pan or cookie sheet with tin foil, and set aside.

Slice the bread in half, evenly. Using the tip of your knife, trace the interior of each half, leaving a ¼ to ½ inch border of bread. Now tear out the innards, and rip into bite-size pieces, no bigger than an inch in width or height. Reserve a heaping cup and a half of these, and dispose of the rest however you wish.

Drain the artichokes completely, and chop roughly. Slide into a large bowl, and add the mayonnaise, sour cream, salt, pepper, garlic powder, Tabasco or other hot sauce, and chives. Stir to combine, cover with saran wrap and chill.

Meanwhile, fry the bacon until crisp or done to your liking. Drain completely on a paper towel or napkins, and pour off almost all of the grease. Add the shallot, and sauté until soft, tender and golden. Cool slightly.

Crumble the cooked bacon and add the shallots into the sour cream mixture. Stir well, then add 1 cup of the grated Cheddar and the Parmesan. Stir to combine one last time, check for seasonings, adjust to taste, and fold in the reserved cup and a half of bread cubes. Divide the mixture between each loaf half (if your loaf is exceptionally long or wide, and I’ve heard it is, you might end up with only one full half – it’s better to have an overfilled half than a skimpy whole). Tear each slice of Swiss cheese in half, and layer diagonally (4 half-slices per slice) over each half. Or, use a tomato instead.

Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden brown, bubbly and smelling ridiculous. Remove from oven, cool for ten minutes, and devour. And don't go swimming for at least forty-five minutes.

Verdict.....I was so very right about this!!!! Simply amazing!!! "Ooh Aah" Kelly!!!!!!! I made the filling thicker as the recipe suggested, but it would be equally amazing spread thinner on top of the bread and then topped with vine-ripened tomatoes as Kelly suggested. She also used some of the leftover filling in scrambled eggs! You could even use this filling for small crostini baked to a golden crispiness in the oven. My girls loved this and there were plenty of "Ooh Aahs" involved....if the walls had ears...blush...simply tantalizing!!!

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.
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20 comments:

  1. I'm ever looking for the ultimate artichoke hot dip/spreads.

    You're so enthused by it...must - try - now!

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  2. Oooooh, this looks incredible... my guy is always asking for more artichokes (really, how can one go wrong with more artichokes? :-), so I know I will be fixing this soon! Yum!

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  3. OMG! That sounds so good. I too love "agginares" (artichokes) and I love the way this dish incorporates all those lovely Mediterranean ingredients.

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  4. I've always been cautious around artichokes...one of those riddle vegetables that I've never quite solved successfully. But this sure looks delicious and worth revisiting that formidable vegetable!

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  5. That looks good. I have been wanting to try using artichokes.

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  6. Nice post, your welcome to join the NO1 food blogging forum at Jeenaskitchen.com

    click here for jeenas food recipe cooking forum

    See you there.

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  7. I'm an artichoke lover, and have never had them like this. Oh yah, I'll be making this for sure!!

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  8. I must definitely try this, I you have convinced me that this is amazing.

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  9. Lovely! That just looks like the perfect lunch.

    I really should try this event as it's not been easy to attempt a different dish once a week and it's likely a better way to get to know other bloggers!

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  10. I bought several cans of artichokes:D..they are very user friendly in a can Mike:D
    Do join the event Pixie. It is a great way to get to know bloggers you haven't discovered yet and highlight some of the recipes from some you do:D

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  11. Yum! Looks great! This makes me want to have this bread again! I used the leftovers stirred into scrambled eggs. Mmmm!

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  12. Hola Val! I don't know how you make it... 3 jobs and all these posts, and you are always there to leave comments too!!!! You are my hero :D
    I hope this comming week will be back to normal (gone for Easter holidays but I'll be visiting all of you!)
    Your dish is simply marvellous and the veredict sounds so enthusiastic I want to try it :D

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  13. Oh my- this DOES sound incredibly good!!!

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  14. That looks so incredible!! I may make this tonight to go with some woup!

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  15. I'm always looking for ideas for foods that I don't cook with very often, and artichokes are one of them. This sounds wonderful.

    A good idea for an event too. I've considered participating, but I can't keep up to all of the recipes I find on food blogs as it is :)

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  16. Mmmm, this is something a bit different for me, but I am drawn to it (without the bacon)!
    I love the plate you served it on Val!

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  17. I've never tried out this blog event but I like the sound of it. The dish sounds (and looks!) fab.

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  18. I still don't know who I'm paired with. I was never told. Thanks for that new blog. Also I just picked up a copy of EAT at a downtown restaurant. Thanks.

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  19. Those look gorgeous! And I love the plates - great photos.
    They look so summery and I am so ready for anything summery!

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  20. That looks wonderful......Wine and this on saturday for sure.

    The best part, well besides the food is finding new blogs such as yours.

    Wonderful.

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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