Ingredients

  • 2 lemons, halved
  • 36 baby artichokes (3 pounds)
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 6 garlic cloves, quartered lengthwise
  • 2 carrots, thinly sliced on the bias
  • 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
  • 1 tablespoon thyme leaves
  • 2 bay leaves
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
  • 3/4 cup dry white wine
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • Fresh Tomato Coulis, for serving

Method

  • Squeeze the lemons into a bowl of water.
  • Working with 1 artichoke at a time, snap off the dark green outer leaves.
  • Using a sharp paring knife, slice off all but 1 inch of the remaining leaves.
  • Peel and trim the stems.
  • Halve the artichokes, scrape out the hairy choke and drop them into the lemon water.
  • In a large, nonreactive skillet, heat the olive oil.
  • Add the garlic, carrots, onion, thyme, bay leaves, black peppercorns and coriander seeds and cook over moderately high heat until the onion begins to soften, about 2 minutes.
  • Drain the artichokes and add them to the skillet.
  • Cook until the onion is translucent, about 2 minutes longer.
  • Add the wine and salt, cover and cook over moderate heat until the artichokes are just tender, about 10 minutes.
  • Discard the bay leaves.
  • Spoon the artichokes and their juices onto plates.
  • Drizzle with the Fresh Tomato Coulis and serve.