Grilled Drunken Artichokes

Total Time: 1 hr 10 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 55 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 large artichokes (or 4 medium)
• 1 1/2 cups wine (about 1/2 bottle)
• 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar or 1/4 cup wine vinegar
• 2 tablespoons brandy
• 1 lemon, juice of, 1/2
• 1/4 lemon, zest of
• 1 shallot, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon dijon mustard
• 1/16 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• olive oil, for brushing the artichokes

Recipe

• 1 steam artichokes until tender and leaves come off easily, 45 minutes to an hour. i like to use a pressure cooker to save time (usually takes 10-15 minutes). be careful not to overcook, or they may fall apart during grilling.
• 2 remove artichokes from the pot and let cool. cut the artichokes in half lengthwise (top to bottom).
• 3 measure wine, vinegar and brandy in a glass measuring cup. add lemon juice, lemon zest and shallot.
• 4 in a small ramekin, mix mustard and cayenne pepper. whisk in a little of the wine liquid (this should help make them more well dispersed). add mustard mixture to the rest of the liquid in the measuring cup, and whisk.
• 5 pour marinade into a large ziploc bag. add artichoke halves and refrigerate approximately 24 hours, turning once half way through marinating time. this usually works best if you set the ziploc bag on a plate with all the halves spread out in one layer.
• 6 remove artichokes from marinade. pour off excess by tilting them with the stem pointed at the ceiling. bring to room temperature.
• 7 warm artichokes for about one minute in the microwave; brush both sides with olive oil.
• 8 grill artichokes 4-5 minutes per side, or according to your grill. these have a delicious flavor of wine and barbecue, and are great enjoyed as is. alternately, you can serve these with your favorite dipping sauce.