Purple artichokes in a cheesy gratin

A recipe from cooking-ez.com

For 4 people, you will need:

• 1 2 slices ham
• 2 16 purples globe artichokes
• 3 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 350 g bechamel sauce
• 5 100 g Mimolette
• Total weight: 2,180 grams

Times:

Preparation	Resting	Cooking	Start to finish
1 hour 7 min.	5 min.	20 min.	1 hour 30 min.

Step by step recipe

• 1: Cut 2 slices ham into small pieces.
  Set aside.
• 2: Prepare 16 purples globe artichokes.
• 3: Drain.
• 4: Cut off the stalks and cut these into small pieces.
  Keep the hearts whole.
• 5: Pour 2 tablespoons olive oil into a small frying pan on high heat. When good and hot, add the ham.
  Fry, stirring from time to time.
  When fried and browned, transfer to a plate, leaving the oil and fat in the pan.
  Set aside.
• 6: Put the pan back on the heat and add the artichokes, sitting the hearts upside down...
• 7: ...to brown lightly.
  Set aside.
  Preheat the oven to 390°F (200°C).
• 8: Pour 350 g bechamel sauce into a saucepan on medium heat (or make this now).
• 9: Add 3/4 of the grated 100 g Mimolette to the bechamel. Stir to mix in and melt the cheese.
• 10: Add the chopped artichoke stalks (but not the hearts) and the ham.
  Mix well and turn off the heat.
• 11: Arrange the artichoke hearts in individual dishes (or one large one).
• 12: Pour the sauce over.
• 13: Scatter a little of the remaining grated mimolette on top.
• 14: Bake for 10 minutes at the top of the oven (grill position).
• 15: Leave to cool slightly before serving.

Remarks

You can use another hard-paste cheese instead of the mimolette, such as Comté, Gruyère, Cheddar...
If you don't have purple artichokes, normal globe artichokes will do, steamed, or even tinned artichoke hearts.

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