Artichokes are misunderstood...mostly because people don't know what to do with them! They are easy to cook and easy to eat and have TONS of health benefits! Give 'em a try!
Ingredients:
2 whole artichokes (1 per person...if you are feeding more, adjust accordingly!)
water
butter
salt
Steps:
1. I use a stock pot with a steamer insert. Fill the pan with just enough water to cover the bottom. Bring to a full boil over high heat.
2. While water is heating, trim and discard the stems and tough outer leaves of artichokes. Some people also trim the thorns, but it is not necessary. They will soften as the artichoke cooks and pose no threat to the person eating the artichoke.
3. When water is boiling, place steamer insert into pot and set artichokes in steamer, stem-side down. Cover pot with lid and allow artichokes to steam for approximately 20 minutes, until tender. They are tender when a knife is inserted easily into the stem.
How to eat the artichoke:
Pull off petals one at a time and dip into melted butter. Sprinkle a little salt on it, if desired. Place in mouth, fleshy side down and pull through teeth to remove flesh. Discard petal. I usually keep a bowl on the table for petals to be discarded in.
Continue until you get to the fuzzy part, which is called the "choke"...I stop here, but you can scrape out and discard the choke (don't eat it!) and underneath is the "heart", which can be cut into pieces and also dipped into the butter.
Try them and let me know how you like them! Feel free to comment me if you have any questions!
Thank you so much!! The one and only time I had an artichoke- was in the 4th or 5th grade from a spanish friend.
ReplyDeleteHer mom was making them- I remember how GREAT they tasted and never ever knew how to cook them. I have seen them at the store since- and had NO CLUE how easy it was!!
THAT'S WHY I LOVE YOUR BLOG!! How are you enjoying it!! Your doing great!!