Small Artichokes à la Méditerranéenne

Mediterranean style small artichokes.

Ingrédients:

1 bag (1kg/2lb) of frozen artichokes (or fresh ones, with outer leaves partially removed)

1 small fennel bulb cut in small pieces
3 celery stalks cut in small pieces
20 pearl onions

1 bulb of spring garlic (if it is the season)

500g of cherry tomatoes (with the stalks)
1 bouillon beef cube
1 bouillon vegetable cube
Thyme leaves (fresh or dry)
2 rosemary sprigs
2 bay leaves
salt, pepper
Olive oil.

Pour olive oil in a big bowl over the artichokes, mix well, spread the artichokes on an oven baking plate after covering it with baking paper. Put in the oven and roast at 160°C (320F) for one hour until golden.

Add some olive oil in a wok pan and fry the celery stalks cut in small pieces for about 15 min. Start with hot and reduce the heat progressively so they dont burn. Reserve aside in a big bowl
Do the same with the fennel cut in small pieces. Reserve
Same with the onions (whole) and the peeled garlic cloves (whole). Reserve
Fry the tomatoes for about ten minutes. Reserve
Add some olive oil each time if necessary.

Add the thyme leaves, the bay leaves, the rosemary sprigs, the tomato stalks (they add flavor to the dish)salt and pepper. Stir for 1 minute. Add the bouillon cubes dissolves in a little quantity of warm water.

Add all the fried vegetables and let it simmer at low temperature for about one hour.

Adjust the seasoning. Remove the rosemary, the bay leaves, the tomato stalks.

Serve with rice, pasta, polenta or steamed potatoes.

Bon appétit !