Everything is going to be fine. You’re cooking tonight’s Valentine’s dinner, but still haven’t decided what to make. First, take a deep breath, and realize you’re not the only one browsing the web for “romantic home-cooked meals” right now. We’ve gotcha covered, and have definitely been there before. There was the time we waited to buy champagne on our way to a New Year’s party, only to learn the store was sold out of everything bubbly. And the time we tried to buy eggs on Easter morning, finding the dairy case completely empty. Sometimes procrastination works, and sometimes it does not. But no worries: your Valentine will never know you were browsing our site at the last minute on this intimate holiday. In fact, from the very first sip of the evening’s cocktails, it will seem as though you’ve been planning this special night for a long time. And when you bring out this first course, pan-seared artichoke with an aioli trio, and see the smile on your date’s face, it can be our little secret that you just discovered it today.

Once you pan-sear an artichoke black, you can never go back. We have always steamed our artichokes, but after discovering this method we realized how much more flavor was possible. And they are incredibly easy to make too. Simply dressed with minced garlic, a drizzle of oil, and a pinch of flaky sea salt, they are wrapped in foil and baked in the oven till they come out steaming hot, filling your kitchen with the aroma of roasted garlic. And just as you were thinking it doesn’t get better, it actually does: throwing the artichokes on a grill for a few minutes brings an enticing smokiness that you can’t get from the oven alone. It’s a quick step to bring some extra flava that you and your mate will love.

Don’t think we’d leave you without providing a delicious dipping sauce. Today is a special day, so we decided to create not one, not two, but a trio of sauces for your dipping pleasure. Each aioli takes less than a minute to whip up, leaving you more time for smoochin’ (we told you we gotcha covered). And all three choices are different from one another. The tangy dill is a classic we have been enjoying for years. The lemon garlic is a match made in heaven for artichoke, and the spicy harissa will certainly take the evening to the next level. With candles flickering and your favorite tunes playing in the background, your night will be off to the right start. Followed by a simple 4-ingredient tomato sauce as your main course and chocolate mocha lava cakes for dessert, this Valentine’s Day will be a night to remember.

UPDATE 5/5/19: We made this recipe last night, and updated it with a few changes.

Pan-Seared Artichokes with an Aioli Trio
serves 2

For the artichokes:
2 large globe artichokes
4 large cloves of garlic, minced and divided
4 teaspoons olive oil, divided
several pinches of flaky sea salt
4 teaspoons freshly-squeezed lemon juice, divided

For the lemon-garlic aioli:

6 tablespoons mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise
zest from one lemon
1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lemon juice
1 large garlic clove, pressed or finely minced
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1/8 teaspoon salt

For the spicy harissa aioli:
4 tablespoons mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise
2 to 3 teaspoons harissa paste, to taste
1 large garlic clove, pressed or finely minced
1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/8 teaspoon salt

For the tangy dill aioli:

4 tablespoons mayonnaise or vegan mayonnaise
1 1/2 teaspoons white wine vinegar
1/8 teaspoon dried dill
1/8 teaspoon garlic powder
1/8 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 425ºF.

Wash the artichokes, and trim the stem to 2 inches in length. If any sharp spines remain on the tips of the leaves, snip them off with scissors. Using a sharp serrated knife, cut 2 inches off the top of the artichoke, making a flat top. Next, place the artichoke flat-side-down and cut it in half vertically, from the stem to the leaves. Using a sturdy metal spoon, scoop out the fuzzy “choke” in the center and discard. Repeat with the second artichoke.

Place one of the artichoke halves on a square of aluminum foil, cut side up. Take one clove of minced garlic and press the pieces of garlic between the leaves, evenly distributing the garlic throughout the artichoke leaves. Drizzle 1 teaspoon of olive oil over the top, then sprinkle with a generous pinch of flaky sea salt. Lift the corners of the foil and wrap the artichoke snugly, folding the top to seal. Place onto a rimmed baking sheet, and repeat with the remaining artichoke halves. Bake for 40-50 minutes, or until the heart is completely tender when pierced with a knife.

Meanwhile, as the artichokes are roasting, make the three aioli dipping sauces. For each one, simply combine the ingredients in a small bowl and stir until blended.

When the artichokes are finished roasting, open the foil packages carefully as the steam inside will be very hot. Preheat a grill pan or an outdoor charcoal grill, and place the artichoke halves cut-side-down. Cook until blackened grill marks appear, about 1-2 minutes. Transfer the artichokes to a serving plate, and drizzle each one with 1 teaspoon of lemon juice. Serve immediately along with the three aioli sauces, and enjoy!

notes:
— If you don’t have a grill pan or an outdoor charcoal grill, a heavy skillet will work, too.
— Never eaten an artichoke before, and wondering how to approach it? Here’s the deal. The leaves are tough, but they all have a layer of delicious soft flesh near their base. Pick up a leaf, dip it in aioli, then holding the tip, bite down on the leaf and use your upper teeth to scrape off the soft part as you pull the leaf out of your mouth. Discard the tough part of the leaf that’s left behind. The outer leaves are the toughest, and get softer as you proceed towards the center of the artichoke. The central leaves are so soft that they can often be eaten almost whole. Once all the leaves have been removed—you’ll have a big pile of discarded leaves on your plate by this point—you’ll be left with the heart and stem which can be eaten whole, and are the best part! If there are any small tough leaves on the stem simply remove them before eating. Good luck, and enjoy!