A Recipe for Adventure with Giada

Yes. My dream did come true. I met Giada.

She's as poised and kind as I envisioned; she loved the title of my blog; I happened to be wearing the same dress she is wearing in her advertisement at the book signing...

...Basically, we hit it off!

Besides being a fabulous chef and TV star, Giada is a writer too. I mean, what more could a food blogger adore? Her new children's series, A Recipe for Adventure, illustrates her passions for food and family. I'm a fan, even if I'm not a ten year old. Plus, my copy has Giada's signature so it's automatically a prized possession!

In honor of Giada, here is one of my favorite recipes from her Everyday Italian show. Let me know what you think of this classy Italian app!

photo credit

artichoke gratinata

Makes 4 servings

3 tablespoons olive oil
1 garlic clove, minced
1 pound frozen artichoke hearts, thawed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon red pepper flakes
1/2 cup chicken broth
1/4 cup Marsala wine
2 tablespoons butter
1/3 cup plain bread crumbs
1/3 cup grated Parmesan

1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Warm the olive oil in a heavy bottom skillet over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute. Add the artichoke hearts, parsley, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes and cook until the artichoke hearts are starting to brown at the edges, about 3 minutes. Add the chicken broth and wine and simmer for 3 minutes. Transfer the artichoke mixture to a 2-quart baking dish.

2. Melt the butter in the same skillet used to cook the artichokes. In a small bowl mix the melted butter with the bread crumbs. Stir in the Parmesan and top the artichokes with the bread crumbs. Bake until the top is golden, about 10 minutes.