Stuffed artichokes cooked in a pressure cooker are delectable ! They soften up beautifully and the garlic seems to just be infused into the artichoke leaves. This is a great recipe – so flavorful, so classic.

Stuffed Artichokes (Pressure Cooker)

8 servings
105 calories per serving

8 large artichokes, trimmed
½ c bread crumbs
½ c grated parmesan cheese
½ c minced garlic
1 c chicken or vegetable broth
Salt and pepper to taste
1 lemon

Everyone trims an artichoke differently – I cut off the stem and then ½ inch from the top. Then I trim all the leaves by nipping off the end. To get the leaves to open up enough to stuff them, I bang the leave side down on the counter a couple of times – then you can use your fingers to pry open the leaves some. Yes, all this work is definitely worth it

Separate leaves slightly so you can drop in the ingredients – each should get bread crumbs, parmesan cheese and garlic.

Place artichokes in pressure cooker (you can double decker them) and pour over broth. Sprinkle with salt and pepper and then squirt with the juice of 1 lemon. Close pressure cooker and bring to pressure and cook 60 minutes. Quick release pressure.

If you don’t have a pressure cooker, you can cook these stovetop in a dutch oven – simmer for 2 hours or until tender.

You can make these ahead of time and just reheat in the microwave prior to serving – I actually prefer to do it this way. They just seem to be more flavorful with the second heating.

This whips up in 5 minutes and is a great appetizer or snack. If you like artichokes, you will love this dip !

Artichoke Dip

4 servings
41 calories per serving

8 oz canned artichoke hearts
2 clove garlic
1 t cumin
2 t olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Place the artichokes in a food processor with the garlic and cumin and oil. Process to a smooth paste then season with salt and pepper.

Serve with store bought or homemade pita chips.

These little cups from heaven are the perfect appetizer ! Take a awesome spinach artichoke dip and put it in a little wonton cup and you have a whole new recipe. You don’t need calorie laden dippers to scoop the dip, so you end up with only 60 calories per cup – you just can’t go wrong there !!

Spinach Artichoke Cups

24 servings
60 calories per serving

24 won ton wrappers
14 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and finely chopped
1 c low fat shredded mozzarella cheese
10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed, and squeezed dry in a colander
1/3 c light mayo
1/3 cc grated parmesan cheese
1/4 c finely chopped red or green peppers
2 cloves garlic, minced
Pam

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray mini muffin pan with Pam and place 1 wrapper in each cup with the edges extending beyond the cut. Place muffin tins on a cookie sheet so you can easily grab them from the oven. Bake 5 minutes then remove from oven. Mix all the rest of the ingredients and fill the cups then bake 15 minutes or until heated through.

Do you LOVE artichokes? Then this is for you !! This is a great hearty dish with lots of flavor. Serve next to some broiled chicken sausage for a great healthy meal.

Artichoke Stew

4 servings
152 calories per serving

2 t oil
1 onion, finely chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
2 large carrots, halved lengthwise and thinly sliced
2 oz. ham, thinly sliced
2 9 oz. packages frozen artichoke hearts (or canned in water, drained well)
½ c white wine or chicken broth
2/3 c chicken broth
½ t basil or thyme flakes
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ c chopped parsley
2 t buttery spread

Heat the oil in a skillet on medium heat and sauté the onion and garlic for 7 minutes. If they start to dry up, add a T or so of hot water. Add the carrots and ham and cook another 4 minutes. Stir in the artichokes and cook another 3 minutes then add the wine and bring to a boil and cook 4 minutes or until the liquid is reduced by half. Then add the broth, thyme, pepper and salt and return to a boil then reduce heat to a simmer and cook 10 minutes or until the artichokes are tender. Add the parsley and butter at the end just before serving.

This salad uses the artichoke marinade as the main ingredient in the dressing to it’s a snap to throw together. If you have fresh herbs on hand, thrown in a few tablespoons for added flavor. This side dish is perfect next to just about anything.

Italian Rice Salad

6 servings
192 calories per serving

6 oz. jar marinated artichoke hearts, liquid reserved
2 T lemon juice
1 t minced garlic
Salt and pepper to taste
3 c cooked white rice, chilled
15 oz. can diced tomatoes, drained
3 cloves garlic, minced
6 oz. can pitted black olives, drained
Pam

Mix the artichoke marinade with the lemon juice, 1 t garlic, salt and pepper. Spray a sauté pan with Pam and cook 3 cloves minced garlic for 1 minute or until golden and fragrant. Mix artichokes, rice, tomatoes, garlic and olives and refrigerate at least 1 hour.

There are so many good things in this casserole – and all the flavors mesh incredibly well. The mellow swiss cheese is the perfect cheese for this recipe.

Arugula and Chicken Sausage

6 servings
252 calories per serving

1 cup Egg Beaters
4 large eggs
1 c skim milk
2 T Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
½ c fresh basil, sliced
4 c wheat bread cut into 1 inch cubes
5 c chopped arugula
¾ c canned artichoke hearts, chopped
1 c cooked chicken sausage, sliced thin
¾ c shredded swiss cheese
Pam

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a baking dish with Pam. Rinse the arugula and then place in a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Fold back one edge leaving just a bit of an open slit. Cook 2-3 minutes to wilt the arugula then drain well and squeeze out extra water.

Whisk egg whites, Egg Beaters and milk then add Dijon, salt, pepper and basil and stir well. Mix together bread cubes with the arugula, sausage and artichokes. Pour in the egg mix and toss well. Place in baking dish and cover with foil then bake 45 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and continue baking 20 minutes UNCOVERED. Cool for 15 minutes.

This is a great dinner – you can serve this warm, at room temperature or even cold. The cheesy tortellini are the perfect base for a savory dressing and tons of flavorful tomatoes and rich artichokes and asparagus. The arugula and fresh basil top it off perfectly.

Tortellini with Tomatoes

6 servings
400 calories per serving

2 9 oz packs fresh cheese tortellini
1 lb asparagus, sliced into 1 ½ inch long slices
3 T red vinegar
1 T balsamic vinegar
1 T olive oil
Salt to taste
1/4 t pepper
4 c baby arugula
1 1/2 c cherry tomatoes, halved
3/4 c grated parmesan
1/3 c thinly sliced fresh basil
14 oz can artichoke hearts, drained and cut in fours

Cook tortellini according to package instructions. Add asparagus into the pasta water during the last 2 minutes of cooking time then drain all. Mix vinegars, oil, salt and pepper and mix with pasta, arugula, tomatoes, cheese, basil and artichokes.

Simple yet fancy. Light yet filling. This is a great side salad. If you are making it as a main salad instead of a side, add some grilled leftover chicken.

Artichoke Salad

8 servings
140 calories per serving

2 c grape tomatoes
11 oz. can artichoke hearts, drained and cut into chunks
10 oz. spring mix salad
1 c low fat shredded cheddar cheese
½ c low fat balsamic vinaigrette

Mix salad ingredients and then combine with dressing.

Lunch salads don’t have to be the same boring thing day in and day out. This one has marinated grilled chicken and artichokes giving it a great Italian flavor.

Chicken Salad with Artichokes

2 servings
390 calories per serving

½ c lite Italian dressing
½ lb. boneless skinless chicken breast halves
2 c torn arugula
2 c torn romaine leaves or other greens
14 oz. can quartered artichoke hearts
2 plum tomatoes, cut into wedges
½ c low fat shredded cheddar cheese
4 fresh basil leaves cut into strips

Pour ¼ c dressing over chicken and refrigerate ½ hour. Heat grill and cook chicken 6-8 minutes each side or until done then cut into strips. Combine arugula and lettuce and top with artichokes, chicken, tomatoes, cheese, basil and the rest of the dressing.

Simple, simple, simple – and a great side salad to just about any meal !

Artichoke and Tomato Salad

4 servings
73 calories per serving

14 oz. can artichoke hearts, rinsed and drained
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
1/34 c chopped parsley
¼ c fat free Italian dressing

Mix all ingredients and toss to coat.