Italian Stuffed Artichokes

Artichokes...they're not just for dip anymore!  I love steamed artichokes, so I went a step further and made an italian style stuffing.

Ingredients:

• 1 artichoke
• 1/3c part skim ricotta
• 1/3c diced salami
• 1 egg
• 1/4c grated parm + additional for sprinkling
• salt, black pepper & crushed red pepper
• 1/3c italian breadcrumbs
• olive oil

1. Cut an artichoke in half, hollow out the center, and steam the halves.
2. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.  Spray a baking dish with olive oil.
3. To make the stuffing, combine the ricotta, the salami, the egg and 1/4c grated parm.  Season.  Stuff the artichoke halves and place them stuffing side up in a baking dish.     
4. Top the artichokes with bread crumbs, a little more parm, and drizzle lightly with olive oil.
5. Bake 18-20 minutes, until the stuffing starts to bubble.  

This would be great alongside my chicken piccata!  http://improperchef.blogspot.com/2012/12/chicken-piccata.html