REC: Artichoke-Olive Dip--I always get requests for this recipe.
This is from Epi. I simplify things by omitting the parsley and chopping the olives in the food processor. This makes it a 10-minute job. I serve it with thin slices of French bread instead of fennel.
Artichoke olive dip with fennel crudites
Servings: Makes about 1 1/2 cups.
Ingredients
a 14- to 16-ounce can whole artichoke hearts, rinsed well, drained, and patted dry
1/4 cup olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced and mashed to a paste with 1/4 teaspoon salt (This makes it too salty for me, so I just run the garlic through my garlic press and throw it in with the artichoke hearts in the food processor)
1/2 cup brine-cured green olives such as picholine, pitted and chopped (I just use pitted Kalamata olives)
3 tablespoons finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
Garnish: fresh parsley sprigs
Accompaniment: 2 medium fennel bulbs (sometimes called anise), stalks trimmed flush with bulbs and bulbs cut lengthwise into strips or triangles for dipping
Instructions: In a food processor purée artichoke hearts with oil until very smooth, about 2 minutes. Transfer purée to a bowl and stir in garlic paste, olives, and salt and pepper to taste. Chill dip, covered, at least 4 hours and up to 24 hours. Stir chopped parsley into dip and garnish with parsley sprigs.
Serve dip with fennel.
http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/11811