Skinny Stuffed Artichokes

A Calories Bomb Slims Down

We’ve turned stuffed artichokes, the classic fat-packed appetizer, into a hearty, healthy recipe for weight loss.
Serves: 4
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour
Before: 617 Calories, 44 Grams of fat
After: 345 Calories, 18 Grams of fat

Ingredients for recipe

• 4 large globe artichokes, stems and discard
  
• 2 lemons, 1 cut in half, 1 juiced
  
• ⅔ cup bulgur
  
• 1 clove garlic, minced
  
• 1½ cup low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
  
• 2 medium carrots, finely chopped
  
• 2 cup spinach, coarsely chopped
  
• ½ cup crumbled feta
  
• ¼ cup pine nuts, toasted
  
• ½ teaspoon dried oregano
  
• ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  
• 2 tablespoon olive oil
  

Preparing

• Bring a large-size pot of water to a boil. Slice off the top inch of 1 artichoke. Cut off the sharp tip of each leaf with kitchen shears. Separate leaves and pull out enough from the center to reveal the fuzzy choke. Scoop out choke with a teaspoon and squeeze some juice from 1 lemon half into the cavity, then use the other lemon half to rub the artichoke all over to prevent discoloration. Repeat with remaining artichokes.
  
• Pour lemon juice into the boiling water; add artichokes. Cook until tender (about 25 minutes). Meanwhile, place bulgur and garlic in a heatproof bowl. Bring 1 cup vegetable broth to a boil; pour over bulgur. Cover and let sit until liquid is absorbed (about 30 minutes). Mix carrots, spinach, crumbled feta, pine nuts, oregano, black pepper in bowl.
  
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
  
• Drain cooked artichokes on paper towels for about 5 minutes, then transfer to a baking dish. Spoon the bulgur stuffing into each artichoke cavity, then pull the leaves apart and fill the spaces between them. Pour remaining ½ cup broth into bottom of dish.
  
• Drizzle oil over artichokes. Bake until heated through (about 20 minutes).
  

Nutrition Score per serving:

(1 artichoke; 1½ cups filling):
345 calories, 18 g fat, 4 g saturated fat, 40 g carbs, 14 g protein, 163 mg calcium, 4 mg iron, 374 mg sodium