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1
Heat oven to 350F Fill bowl w/ water and squeeze lemon over it.
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2
Set aside the squeezed-out lemon.
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3
Remove the tough parts of the outer leaves from an artichoke.
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4
This is best done by bending the leaf flat back and then pulling straight down, taking the tips of the leaves and much of the stringy fiber, but leaving the meaty bases.
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5
Work your way around the artichoke, until you come to leaves where the bases are tender and pale green.
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6
Use a large knife to cut off the dark green top by one-third.
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7
Trim the stem of the artichoke with a paring knife, making a flat base and carefully peel away any tough dark green peel, exposing the tender pale surface.
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8
Rub the cut surfaces with the lemon half.
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9
Place the artichoke upside down on a work surface and press down firmly to begin to spread leaves.
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10
Turn the artichoke right side up and use your fingers to spread the leaves as much as possible.
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11
Use a melon baller or grapefruit spoon to remove the inner-most purple-tipped leaves and scrape the fuzzy choke from the base.
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12
5.
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13
Place the cleaned artichoke in the bowl of lemon water and repeat with the remaining artichokes.
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14
Mince the garlic by dropping it down the feed tube of a food processor while its running.
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15
Stop the machine and add the bread cubes.
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16
Pulse 2 or 3 times.
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17
Add the ham and parsley and pulse until both the bread and ham are in large crumbs, about 4 or 5 times.
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18
Remove the blade and stir in the lemon zest, pine nuts and salt.
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19
Drain the artichokes and fill the central cavity of each with some of the stuffing mixture, mounding it over the top and working a bit of it between the leaves.
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20
Arrange artichokes in an oiled baking dish just large enough to hold them in a single layer.
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21
Pour the wine into bottom of the dish, and add enough water to come to a depth of about 3/4 inch.
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22
Cover the dish with foil and bake until the artichokes are tender enough that you can easily pull out one of the interior leaves (a knife will easily pierce the base), about 45 minutes.
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23
Remove the dish from the oven and carefully pour the leftover liquid into a small saucepan.
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24
Bring to a boil over high heat and reduce to a thin syrup.
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25
Pour over the cooked artichokes and serve warm or set aside to cool to room temperature before serving.
