Straccieatella Cheese with Marinated Artichoke and Candied Tomatoes

Preparation

• 1
  Procedure for the Stracciatella: Make sure the cheese is room temperature or slightly warm when serving. Basil cress for Garnish
• 2
  Procedure for the Artichokes: Squeeze in the lemons on a bowl with fresh water. Place the clean artichokes in lemon water to prevent them from discoloring
• 3
  Eliminate the outer leaves by bending them and snapping them off until you reach the leaves which are half yellow in color (toward the base) and half green (toward the tip)
• 4
  Cut off the end of the stem, leaving it about 2.5 cm. Cut off the tip of the central cone, to eliminate the tougher green end of the leaves and obtain a flat surface
• 5
  Clean the outside of the stem, peeling it with a sharp knife. Uniformly pair the base of the leaves
• 6
  If necessary, scoop away the inside chokes with the tip of a knife or a small spoon, until you reach the tender part of the artichoke
• 7
  Cut the artichokes in half
• 8
  Bring the vegetable stock to boil
• 9
  Warm up a separate pot and add some of the olive oil. Sear the sliced shallots, garlic cloves, rosemary and thyme
• 10
  Add the clean, previously strained half artichokes, season with salt and pepper and sear them over high heat for thirty seconds
• 11
  Pour the boiling vegetable stock and cook for ten minutes or until tender
• 12
  Strain the artichokes, cool them and marinate with olive oil, chopped rosemary, thyme and parsley. Set aside
• 13
  Procedure for the candied tomatoes: In peeling a tomato, first, use a paring knife to cut out the stem
• 14
  Then slice a shallow X in the bottom (blossom) end
• 15
  Using a slotted spoon, plunge the tomato into boiling water for a few seconds, then plunge it into a bowl of iced water
• 16
  This will stop the tomato from cooking and further loosen the skin, peel away the tomato skin
• 17
  Cut the it into four quarters lengthwise and cut out the seeds. Marinate with salt sugar and finely chopped oregano
• 18
  Place on a tray with baking paper with inner side down and put under heating lamp or preheated oven at 60-70 degrees Celsius for 2.2 and half hours until they become candied
• 19
  Keep them dry until serving