stuffed artichokes...

This is one of my favorite ways to serve artichokes. They look pretty and as it takes awhile to eat an entire one; each bite can truly be enjoyed.

Stuffed Artichokes

Ingredients
4 artichoke or 1 per person
Seasoned Italian Bread Crumbs
Parmesan Cheese
Pepper
Garlic Salt
Paprica
Dried Basil
Olive Oil
Lemon Wedges

To prepare the artichokes:
Cut off the stems of the artichokes and peal off any small bottom leaves.
Slice off the tops of the artichokes so they are flat across - you are cutting off the pointed part of the leaves.
Spread the artichoke apart to open up the inside so there is room for the breadcrumb mixture.

To prepare the filling:
In a bowl, mix together 2 cups of seasoned bread crumbs, 1 cup of parmesan cheese, pepper, paperika and basil (I add quite a bit to make it a spicy mixture.).
Sprinkle the inside of the articoke with garlic salt.
With a tablespoon, pour filling in between leaves, again open up the artichoke so the filling goes down to the bottom.
Continue to fill the artichoke until it looks full.
Put on a steamer rack in a large pot with water filled to the steamer.
Drizzle with olive oil,  cover and bring the water to a boil.
Reduce the heat and simmer for at least one hour or until a leaf is easily removed from the artichoke.
Serve on a small plate with a lemon wedge.