First Timers!

I absolutely love artichokes and adore using them in dishes but I have always used frozen artichokes, the fresh ones are- were - so scary!  That is until last night when my cooking girlfriend told me that since a young age artichokes had been a frequent delicacy for her and her family, like popcorn!  That just seriously blew my mind!  So at the store we picked up a couple fresh artichokes that looked extremely intimidating, pretty but intimidating, with their spear shape and sharp edge leaves...

 Scary artichoke with leaves..

Becoming not so scary..

Lots to discard..

After Steaming for 20 to 30 minutes, filling with a parsley, tomato, bread crumb mix, and starting to look scrumptious!  

Filled and popped in the oven for 10 minutes, yum! 

Served as an appetizer alongside an arugula and sweet pea salad with quick caesar dressing.  Moving on to the main course, a galette.  Honestly I had never heard of a galette until the past week when my friend Jess was talking about them and I pretended to know what they were...  Now that I really know what they are and have experienced their amazing flaky, tangy pastry type dough with a savory filling, I must say, galettes will be making many more appearances in my kitchen.  

Goat Cheese Caramelized Onion and Zucchini Galette

Zucchini ready to go!  

Lots of onions..

Pre-caramelized, takes forever..

Goat cheese, sour cream, white wine, and thyme mix

Onions caramelized and ready to go -new pastry mat- 

Zucchini layered on top of the caramelized onions and goat cheese base

Voila!  Pure scrumptiousness!  

Trying new things in the kitchen can be a bit scary but sometimes with help, thanks Jess, a wonderful meal can come together and create opportunities that one never knew existed!   Off to eat some chilled galette, it's wonderful straight from the fridge!  Ciao