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Globe artichoke salad with preserved lemon mayonnaise

Starter Summer
Serves 4 as a starter

An upmarket take on the simple summer staple of artichoke with mayo. We could eat artichoke with mayo every day; this more elaborate version of that simple dish is well worth the extra effort. Any leftover mayo will keep in a sealed jar in the fridge for a few days.

Ingredients

4 large globe artichokes
5 tbsp lemon juice
1 medium baking potato, peeled and cut into 12 wedges (similar in size to the artichoke pieces)
1 large sprig fresh thyme, plus 1 tbsp picked leaves
salt and black pepper
10g chopped dill
5g chopped tarragon
50g pea shoots
1 tbsp olive oil
FOR THE MAYONNAISE
1 egg yolk
Âĵ tsp dijon mustard
1 small garlic clove, crushed
1½ tsp white-wine vinegar 
Âĵ tsp caster sugar
1 medium preserved lemon, chopped flesh and skin (30g in total)
75ml sunflower oil

Method

  1. Cut most of the stalk off the artichokes and remove the tough outer leaves by hand. Once you reach the softer leaves, cut 2-3cm off the top, and trim the base and around the stalk. Cut in half lengthways, so you can reach the heart, and scrape it clean of hairs. Dip the cleaned heart halves in acidulated water (one or two tablespoons of the lemon juice mixed with some water), then cut each into three triangular segments.
  2. Put the artichokes in a medium saucepan with the potato. Add the remaining lemon juice, the thyme sprig and three-quarters of a teaspoon of salt, and add water just to cover (around 500ml). Bring to a boil, then simmer gently for 10-15 minutes, until the tip of a small, sharp knife goes easily into both potatoes and artichokes. Remove from the heat and leave to cool.
  3. For the mayonnaise, put all the ingredients bar the oil in a small food processor bowl. With the motor running, slowly pour in the oil and process to a firm, glossy mayonnaise. Refrigerate until needed.
  4. To assemble, drain the artichokes and potatoes, and mix in a large bowl with the thyme leaves, dill, tarragon, pea shoots, olive oil, a quarter-teaspoon of salt and some pepper. Serve with a dollop of mayo and another good grind of pepper.