CRAB CAKE-STUFFED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Mix the crab meat, garlic, breadcrumbs, cheese, parsley, seasoning blend, lemon zest, 1 teaspoon salt and few good grinds pepper in a medium bowl until combined. Pour in the olive oil and toss until the mixture is evenly coated and the texture of wet sand. Set aside.
• Fill a large bowl with cold water, squeeze in the juice of 1 of the lemon halves and then drop in both lemon halves. Working with 1 artichoke at a time, trim about 1 inch off the top with a serrated knife, then snap off the tough outer leaves around the stem (about 2 layers of leaves). Use kitchen shears to trim 1/4 to 1/2 inch off the thorny leaf tips. Cut off the stem completely so the artichoke can sit flat and upright. Cut the artichoke in half lengthwise through the stem using a chef's knife, then use a melon baller to remove the choke (the fuzzy "hair" in the very center of the artichoke). Rub the cut parts with a lemon half (from the bowl), then keep the artichoke in the lemon water while you trim the rest.
• Use your fingers to spread the leaves of each artichoke half, then stuff the crumb mixture between each. Fill the very center of each artichoke half with some of the breadcrumb mixture as well. Use kitchen twine to tie the artichoke halves back together, making sure to prevent the breadcrumbs from falling out.
• Set up a steamer basket over a large pot of simmering water, then add the stuffed artichokes upright (don't worry if they're snug). Cover with a lid and steam over medium-low heat, adding more water as needed, until the bottom of the artichoke is tender when pierced with the tip of a paring knife, about 1 hour 15 minutes.
• Within the last 5 minutes of cooking, preheat the oven to broil.
• Transfer the stuffed artichokes from the steamer basket to a rimmed baking sheet and remove the kitchen twine. Place the artichoke halves cut-side up. Watching carefully, broil until the breadcrumbs turn crisp and golden brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Transfer to a platter and serve with an extra dusting of seasoning blend and the lemon wedges.