4 servings

Microwave cooking time: 17 minutes

Conventional cooking time: 45 minutes

4 med-size artichokes
Salt
1 c. cooked, minced chicken
1/4 c. minced celery
2 tbsp. melted onion
1 tbsp. lemon juice
2 tbsp. mayonnaise or dairy sour cream
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. tarragon or dill
Dash freshly ground pepper
Avgolemono Sauce, Hallandaise Sauce or mayonnaise

MICROWAVE: Cut artichoke stems flat with bottom of artichokes. Trim off thorny tip of each leaf with scissors. Place artichokes, stem ends down, in 1 1/2 quart casserole. Add 1/3 cup lightly salted water and cover tightly with Saran Wrap, turning back edge to vent. Microcook at 100% powder 10 minutes. Turn artichokes, stem end up, recover, leaving vent, and microcook at 100% power 3 minutes longer or until artichokes are almost tender. Let stand, covered, 10 minutes. Uncover and allow to cool until easy to handle. Pull artichoke leaves out from center, exposing small thorn-tipped leaves inside. Remove small center leaves and scrape out fuzzy "choke" in bottom with spoon. Rinse and drain. Mix chicken, celery, onion, lemon juice, mayonnaise, 1/4 teaspoon salt, tarragon and pepper. Spoon into centers of artichokes. Place filled artichokes upright in 1 1/2 quart casserole. Cover tightly with Saran Wrap, turning back edge to vent. Microcook at 90% power 4 minutes or until filling is hot. Serve immediately with warm sauce or mayonnaise.

CONVENTIONAL: Prepare artichokes as directed in microwave method. Place in lightly salted boiling water. Cover and simmer 20 to 25 minutes or until artichokes are almost tender. Cool until easy to handle. Pull artichoke leaves out from center, exposing small thorn-tipped leaves inside. Remove small center leaves and scrape out fuzzy "choke" in bottom with spoon. Rinse and drain. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Mix chicken, celery, onion, lemon juice, mayonnaise, 1/4 teaspoon salt, tarragon and pepper. Spoon into centers of artichokes. Place filled artichokes upright in casserole. Bake 15 to 20 minutes or until filling is hot. Serve immediately with warm sauce or mayonnaise.