Artichokes ?

[bigmama]

Several years back, I had artichokes at a dinner party where you pulled the leaves off, dipped them in drawn butter and scraped the flesh off the leaves with your teeth. Anybody know what I mean? How do you cook the 'chokes??
Thanks for any input!

[lessofme2c]

oooh oooh! I wanna know too!

[ana]

Hold the artichoke firmly and with a sharp knife cut off the top 1/4 where the sharp points are. Peel off a few layers of the very tough outter leaves and trim the stem if there is one if there isnt a stem make an x in the base. you can steam them... but what I like to do is put them in a pot of water that I have put 1/2 of a lemon in boil until a knife inserts easily drain and serve with butter or garlic aioli. yum!
(you can also add some old bay seasoning to the water you any spices you might like).

[bigmama]

Ana...

Thank you SOO MUCH!!
Will try this weekend. YUM! :yummy

[NulloModo]

Cut them as Ana suggests and try baking them with a little EVOO or butter, then serving with a dusting of salt, pepper, and a splash of fresh squeezed lemon juice.

[Naja]

Artichoke leaves are particularly good when dipped in a good homemade garlic mayonnaise.

[Langrrr]

Steaming Artichokes and a Good Aioli Recipe

I use a vegetable steamer, which works wonderfully. Follow preparation directions as given by others - I tend to steam my artichokes for about 40 minutes, or until an inner leaf pulls out easily.

Then I make an aioli, or garlic mayonaise:

For four artichokes, I use the following:

2 cups mayonaise
4 cloves garlic
1 tsp white vinegar or lemon juice
2 dashes hot sauce
Salt and Pepper to taste

Crush the cloves into the mayonaise and add remaining ingredients. Blend well and chill in the fridge while the 'chokes cook.

Divide accordingly.

Remember, 'chokes are a good source of nutrients, especially potassium!

[Langrrr]

Forgot to Add...

In fact, steamed artichokes are amongst my faves.

Recently, when I was doing a cross-country flight home from California, and needed a low-carb meal for the trip, I went so far as to pick up a pre-steamed artichoke from a stand in Castroville, CA (where 90% of all American chokes are from), and brought that on the plane (along with a good dip and some meat and cheese) for my in-flight meal.

The flight attendant was astounded... and more-than-a-little jealous.

- Andrew

[lotusflower]

mmmm.artichokes. My dad taught me years ago how to eat them, and everyone was always amazed that a child not only knew HOW to eat a 'choke, but loved them as well!

We always dipped ours in a homemade vinagrette w/oregano and garlic. I also use Newman's oil and vinegar dressing for this as well. (I used to put it on my baked potatoes! LOL)

I bought a few at the grocery the other night; they were on sale very cheap. I just picked up a deep fryer/steamer combo and will steam these this week for dinner. Yummy!