I bought an artichoke-NOW WHAT??

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-24-2003
I bought an artichoke-NOW WHAT??
16
Sat, 04-17-2004 - 12:24pm

LOL I have no idea what to do with it.  Any GOOD ideas will be greatly appreciated.  LOL

Thanks in advance



Tammie


 

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-01-2004
Sat, 04-17-2004 - 12:29pm
Ohh, I love artichokes.
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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2004
Sat, 04-17-2004 - 3:05pm
LOL Tammie! I buy the artichoke hearts in the can packed with just water because I wasn't sure what to do with a fresh one, either.

Glad you asked; I'll have to try a fresh one. Thanks Tammie & Cathy!

Susan

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-1999
Sat, 04-17-2004 - 5:53pm
They are yummy with a little vinaigrette dressing drizzled over after cooking, too. Pre-SBD, I always ate them with mayonnaise, but I've been experimenting with other tastes since August. Enjoy; they are a family

 

winter 2010 siggy

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-10-2003
Sat, 04-17-2004 - 6:52pm
This should help- I found it on the web- because after you cook it you have to know how to eat it! Forget the clipping of the leaves- not needed. Also, some artichokes take longer to cook than others, be sure the water doesn't boil dry and keep pulling leaves until it's bite tender at the thicker base. The rest of your dinner should be less time sentitive as the artichokes can take to 45-60 minutes. The best ones have compact leaves. I do cheat and dip in a wee bit of butter.

Interesting fact- artichokes have something in them that makes everything else taste better!

Here it is:

How to Cook an Artichoke

1. Rinse the artichokes in running cold water.

2. If the artichokes have little thorns on the end of the leaves, take a kitchen scissors and cut of the thorned tips of all of the leaves. This step is mostly for aesthetics as the thorns soften with cooking and pose no threat to the person eating the artichoke.

3. Slice about 3/4 inch to an inch off the tip of the artichoke.

4. Pull off any smaller leaves towards the base and on the stem.

5. Cut excess stem, leaving up to an inch on the artichoke. The stems tend to be more bitter than the rest of the artichoke, but some people like to eat them. Alternatively you can cut off the stems and peel the outside layers which is more fibrous and bitter and cook the stems along with the artichokes.

6. In a large pot, put a couple inches of water, a clove of garlic, and a slice of lemon (this adds wonderful flavor to the artichokes). Insert a steaming basket. Add the artichokes. Cover. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 35 to 45 minutes or until the outer leaves can easily be pulled off. Note: artichokes can also be cooked in a pressure cooker.


How to Eat an Artichoke

Artichokes may be eaten cold or hot, but I think they are much better hot. They are served with a dip, either melted butter or mayonaise. My favorite dip is mayo with a little bit of balsamic vinegar mixed in.

1. Pull off outer petals, one at a time.

2. Dip white fleshy end in melted butter or sauce. Tightly grip the other end of the petal. Place in mouth, dip side down, and pull through teeth to remove soft, pulpy, delicious portion of the petal. Discard remaining petal. Continue until all of the petals are removed.

3. With a knife or spoon, scrape out and discard the fuzzy part covering the artichoke heart. The remaining bottom of the artichoke is the heart. Cut into pieces and dip into sauce to eat.


iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-1999
Sat, 04-17-2004 - 8:54pm

Oh, that is important...to know how to cook and eat them...thanks! Butter is good, too (real butter is loads better than margarine on this one!).


I never cut off the tops, either. You just have to be careful when you eat them.


I always notice everything eaten after an artichoke tastes different--better, too! If you're on Phase 2 or 3, you can eat an artichoke as the main course and a little WW spaghetti with tomato sauce as the side dish. It tastes very YUMMY!!!


 

winter 2010 siggy

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-24-2003
Sun, 04-18-2004 - 1:09am
Thanks Cathy.

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-24-2003
Sun, 04-18-2004 - 1:10am

Thanks Catherine.


 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-24-2003
Sun, 04-18-2004 - 1:11am

Wow these are complicated little things aren't they.


 
iVillage Member
Registered: 10-24-2003
Sun, 04-18-2004 - 1:12am
LOL Susan depending on how this adventure turns out.

 
iVillage Member
Registered: 07-17-1999
Sun, 04-18-2004 - 3:16am

Oh, they're really not THAT complicated. Simple instructions:


Throw a couple of artichokes in a pot big enough to hold them. Cover them with water. Bring water to a full boil, then cook on a low fire for 30-60 minutes, depending on size. The artichokes are done when you stick a fork near the choke (bottom part) and it is soft.


Really, they are one of my favorite veggies (I just bought some today, in fact). A fresh one is worth the trouble!! The only times I've eaten canned artichoke hearts are in restaurant dishes.


 

winter 2010 siggy

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