Genovese-style Artichokes

I was a little intimidated by this recipe, because I've never cooked with whole artichokes before. It just so happened that I was watching the episode of Everyday Italian when Giada was making this recipe, so it helped to watch her prepare the artichokes. Once I got over my initial trepidation, I found that this was really a very easy recipe. (Not to mention, I'm immediately drawn to anything that is cooked in wine!). One of the reviewers on the Food Network website was a vegetarian, and she said she substituted vegan bacon for the prosciutto, and it worked perfectly. So fear not my vegetarian friends, you are not excluded from this delicious dinner!
Source: Food Network

Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil, plus 1/4 cup
• 1 pound button or Roman mushrooms, trimmed and chopped (about 4 cups)
• 1 onion, diced
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 4 slices prosciutto (about 2 ounces), chopped
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley leaves
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 4 fresh artichokes, trimmed and cleaned
• 2 cups white wine

Directions:

1. In a large, heavy skillet heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the mushrooms, onions, and garlic. Cook, stirring frequently until the mushrooms are tender and the onions are golden.

2. Transfer the mushroom mixture to a medium bowl and let the mixture cool slightly. Add the prosciutto, parsley, Parmesan, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.

3. Gently pull apart the leaves of the trimmed artichokes to slightly widen the spaces between the leaves.

4. Stuff the mushroom mixture in the spaces between the artichoke leaves.

5. Place the artichokes in a heavy, high-sided pan so they fit snugly enough to stay upright. Pour the wine and 1 cup of water into the bottom of the pan.

6. Pour the 1/4 cup of olive oil over the top of the artichokes.

7. Place the pan over medium-high heat. Cover the pan and bring to a simmer. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes, until the artichokes are tender. Remove from the pot and serve immediately.