Artichoke bottoms with pasta and shrimp
April 26, 2011 • Category: Main Dish, Pasta, Fish/Seafood
This dish (concocted at the spur of the moment) reminded me of a conversation I had with a foodie friend in Beirut; we were discussing artichokes and that exquisite Lebanese dish of stuffed artichoke bottoms with minced lamb and yogurt; I mentioned I used frozen bottoms imported from Egypt. His reaction was: “What? You are supposed to get fresh artichokes and (slave over) peel them and clean them up and then get their bottoms” is what he said.
Yeah, right! I will do that when I have a kitchen helper 24/7. (Kitchen help is widely available in Lebanon)
You can save yourselves a lot of time and grief and buy them frozen at the Middle-Eastern store; they are produced in Egypt and are just fine!
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 bag of artichoke bottoms (about 10 bottoms)
- 2 cups of low-fat yogurt
- 6 cloves of garlic
- 1 bunch of cilantro
- A handful of fresh or frozen fava beans (optional)
- 1/4 pound of large shrimps
- Olive oil, as needed
- 4 ounces of cappellini pasta (or angel hair)
- Spices: Salt, to taste, sumac (1 teaspoon), paprika (1 teaspoon), coriander (1/2 teaspoon)
METHOD:
- Prep the shrimps (peeling and deveining) and sprinkle with the spices; add a little olive oil and let the shrimp marinate, covered, in the fridge.
- Boil 8 cups of water in a pot and drop the fava beans (either shelled or in their husks) and boil for 5 minutes until soft. Drain and shell them, removing the outer skin which is thick and hard to digest (for a lot of people). Set aside.
- Mash the garlic with a dash of salt, chop the cilantro; heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a small skillet and add the garlic and cilantro, stirring constantly, for no more than five seconds. Set aside.
- Boil a large pot of salted water and cook the artichoke bottoms for 7 minutes or so; drain and set aside. Heat a skillet and fry the shrimps on both sides for 3 minutes or until they turn bright pink. Set aside.
- Prepare the yogurt sauce: Place the yogurt in a bowl, add the cilantro and garlic pesto, the fava beans and combine well. Bring a pot of water to a boil and cook the cappellini 2 minutes. Drain and place in the bowl over the yogurt; combine pasta and yogurt sauce.
- To assemble: Place the artichoke bottoms on a platter; add a few strands of pasta on each bottom and a couple of shrimps. Place the leftover pasta in the middle, garnish with a few cilantro leaves and serve.
Comments
39 Comments • Comments Feed
weirdcombos says:
We love artichokes. They are all over the market here right now. But guess what? We can’t cook it. Kitchen is still half way done 🙁
This pasta looks just incredible, great arrangement.
Cheers,
H
On April 26, 2011 at 8:00 pm
Mark Wisecarver says:
I absolutely love you for sharing things like this. 🙂
On April 26, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Peter says:
It’s a pretty dish, indeed and artichokes are “full on” now that it’s Spring. A nice first course for a dinner party or when the boss is over.
On April 26, 2011 at 8:11 pm
Claudia says:
How light and perfect – I actually have some fresh baby artichokes – but I am all in favor of frozen – they work so well in a pasta dish. I love the little nests – it is spring, isn’t it? (somewhere)
On April 26, 2011 at 9:03 pm
Dewi says:
Artichoke is my favorite vegetable to eat, there is something about it that is quite addictive. Yours is very pretty, perfect and elegant for party.
On April 26, 2011 at 9:10 pm
Marie says:
Beautiful dish, love everything about it. I will look for the frozen bottoms!
On April 26, 2011 at 10:15 pm
rebecca says:
beautiful dish and man that fish sandwich looks amazing
On April 26, 2011 at 10:25 pm
sheila @ Elements says:
What a wonderful idea! If I wasn’t allergic to shellfish I would try this. Maybe I can think of something else to use in place of the shellfish though. I hope so! 🙂
On April 26, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Jean says:
I can buy artichoke bottoms at the store? I wonder where the closest Middle-Eastern market is in my area. My husband, just this weekend, accompanied me to the grocery store so he picked up a couple of artichokes–they’re one of his favorites. It prompted him to ask me why I rarely buy them myself and I did say that it’s because I think they’re a lot of work (I don’t have kitchen help either 🙂 ). I know he and I would both enjoy this this–must search for the artichoke bottoms! 🙂
On April 26, 2011 at 10:37 pm
Velva says:
I have no doubt that stuffed bottoms of artichokes are delicious. I use artichokes often and have not made the leap to using on the bottoms to stuff. Your photo really brings it alive. I will be looking in the Middle Eastern store for these artichoke bottoms. Thanks for the wonderful idea.
Velva
On April 26, 2011 at 11:00 pm
Lyndsey says:
I love this, it makes it so special. I have used artichoke bottoms from a jar, but I’ll have to look for the frozen ones. Or I’ll look forward to slaving over the fresh ones…hehehe! These are great!
On April 26, 2011 at 11:22 pm
Eve@CheapEthnicEatz says:
This dish looks wonderful, I am such a fan of artichokes but don’ to eat them as often as I like. The pasta and shrimp combo is perfect.
On April 26, 2011 at 11:36 pm
sweetlife says:
how funny, I would use frozen quickly instead of the extra work, lovely pics. great recipe!
sweetlife
On April 27, 2011 at 12:34 am
Belinda @zomppa says:
Another gorgeous composition!
On April 27, 2011 at 2:07 am
Rosa says:
A splendid dish! So refined…
Cheers,
Rosa
On April 27, 2011 at 2:12 am
Diane says:
I am nuts about artichokes and I love sea food so this will be a hit for me. Diane
On April 27, 2011 at 2:44 am
Priya says:
Dish looks simply marvellous..
On April 27, 2011 at 3:44 am
meriem says:
Ta recette est excellente…et il est vrai que les fonds d’artichauts venant d’Alexandrie font très bien l’affaire…car c’est fou comme on n’a plus le temps d’éplucher des artichauts feuille par feuille jusqu’à arriver au coeur!!! Merci Joumana pour cette belle idée!!
On April 27, 2011 at 7:37 am
deana says:
Joumana… they had frozen favas for a while at WF and then they didn’t… the best time-saver ever… because they are a royal pain. Artichoke bottoms? I’ve never tried them frozen… this looks like a remarkable dish to throw together… inspired!
PS write me, I can send you a bit of A. if you want to try it.
On April 27, 2011 at 8:17 am
Victor @ RandomCuisi says:
I didn’t know that artichoke can be used as a bottom for stuffing, that’s a good alternative to button mushrooms. Thanks for introducing this dish.
On April 27, 2011 at 8:40 am
Nuts about food says:
I never thought of stuffing an artichoke heart. Delicious, as I love artichokes. I could eat them every day. I also love the idea of the other recipe you mentioned, with the lamb and yogurt. You must post!
On April 27, 2011 at 9:22 am
Joumana says:
@Nuts about food: the recipe has already been posted.
https://www.tasteofbeirut.com/2010/10/artichokes-bottoms-with-a-yogurt-sauce/
@Arthur: Try any Middle-Eastern store in your area: I am sure you will find them in the frozen section!
On April 27, 2011 at 9:25 am
Min {Honest Vanilla} says:
This is by far the best way to serve artichoke that I’ve seen! It’s gorgeous and full bloom in flavour for the pasta 🙂
On April 27, 2011 at 9:30 am
Karen says:
Lovely spring recipe!
On April 27, 2011 at 9:31 am
arthur says:
You are right Joumana. It takes me hours enslaving myself preparing the artichokes and then cook them the simplest way possible because I would just be too tired to do anything fancy anymore. I really wish they sell them frozen here too. We just love to eat them at home ’cause they closely resemble the taste of a type of breadfruit we had as children. Super idea stuffing them! I’ll try your recipe no matter what! Cheers!
On April 27, 2011 at 10:05 am
Devaki says:
Dear Joumana – you think I’ll be able to get the artichoke bottoms at a middle eatern store? I LOVE how you always come up with the most delightful concoctions using these. this one right here is genius 🙂
chow! Devaki @ weavethousandflavors
On April 27, 2011 at 2:03 pm
Magic of Spice says:
They are gorgeous! I would use frozen bottoms as well…will have to look for them 🙂
On April 27, 2011 at 4:38 pm
Nadji says:
Artichaut/crevettes : une combinaison qui me plait beaucoup.
Je note.
Dommage que tu habites aussi loin.
A très bientôt;
On April 27, 2011 at 7:00 pm
Joan Nova says:
This is such an elegant dish great for a starter or a lunch.
P.S. I, too, would take the shortcut of frozen bottoms if I could find them!
On April 27, 2011 at 8:21 pm
sweet artichoke says:
How could I not put a comment on these delightful artichoke bottoms? Shrimp + artichoke + pasta sounds like a perfect combination!
On April 28, 2011 at 9:28 am
FOODESSA says:
Nice to know someone else has their priorities straight about not handling artichokes if one doesn’t absolutely have to. I completely agree…the frozen ones are perfectly fine, quick to prepare and no complaints on my side so far ;o)
One idea I’ll sneak from you is putting the yogurt and angel hair pasta in the heart’s nest…good thinking Joumana ;o)
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
On April 28, 2011 at 11:05 am
Lentil Breakdown says:
Well I am always for making things from scratch, but I’m with you on this one. I think frozen artichokes are good and easy. Joumana, did you get a new camera? Your photos have been looking especially lovely lately.
On April 28, 2011 at 9:48 pm
domi says:
Superbement gourmand, j’adore…
On May 5, 2011 at 12:44 pm
Joyti says:
I prefer artichoke hearts – or bottoms – to the whole artichoke any day! So much easier to eat, and delicious too.
And stuffed artichokes sound delicious – both the tradition and your seafood take.
On May 17, 2011 at 1:20 am
Lori Lynn says:
Hi Joumana – I adore this idea, stuffing artichoke bottoms with pasta. Brilliant! Such a lovely photo too. Great combination of flavors, a winner all around. Especially since the artichokes are frozen – saves time and still quite tasty.
LL
On May 17, 2011 at 7:19 am
Mary says:
This looks crazy delicious! I love the ingredients, presentation and colors!!
New to your blog; happy I found you!
Mary xo
Delightful Bitefuls
On May 17, 2011 at 9:50 am
Ron says:
I’ve always wanted to order artichokes when I’m out eating but I don’t know how they taste like so I still haven’t tried them yet! Then I thought about cooking them at home but I didn’t know how and now that I saw your recipe, I really, really, really want to try because I love shrimp and pasta so how could this possibly go wrong, right? I am currently in Hong Kong and I haven’t seen any frozen artichokes yet… 🙁 Perhaps I’ll save your recipe for later, whenever I go back to the USA.
On May 18, 2011 at 7:47 am
domi says:
Très jolis ces petits nids ” marins ” et idéals pour un apéro ou une soirée tapas…j’aime
On January 31, 2012 at 12:44 am
Nicholle @ Montalvo says:
This looks incredible! Wish I had a platter full of these in front of me right now – who cares if it’s breakfast time?? 😉
I absolutely love your blog. Growing up we had neighbors/close friends that were from Lebanon. Your recipes take me back to the days of having dinner at Talar’s house on the weekends and snacking on hummus after school 🙂
On May 9, 2012 at 10:30 am