steamed artichokes – smitten kitchen

Trim artichokes: Minimize the underside inch of thorny leaves off every artichoke. Take away any small, discolored leaves across the sides and nearer to the stem; they’re not going to style good. Use a vegetable peeler to take away the outer layer of the stem. Minimize every artichoke in half by way of the stem, coronary heart, and leaves. When you’d like, you may rub the reduce elements of every artichoke with one lemon half to restrict browning.

Steam artichokes: Deliver a pair inches of water to boil in a big pot with a lid and place a steamer basket [mine looks like this] within the backside. Add artichokes — don’t fear about whether or not they’re standing or flopped over. Squeeze the juice of half a lemon over and nestle the empty lemon half within the center, only for taste. Cowl with a lid and steam artichokes over average warmth for 25 to half-hour, till the tip of a knife inserts simply into the thickest half the place the leaves meet the stem.

Use tongs to switch artichokes to a reducing board, and use a spoon or paring knife to take away and discard the fuzzy choke. Your artichokes at the moment are able to eat, however for those who’d like a elaborate end:

For a sizzled end: Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth and add butter and garlic. As soon as sizzling, place reduce sides of 1 artichoke in pan and cook dinner till browned and crisp beneath, then switch to serving platter. Repeat with remaining artichokes. Pour any butter left in pan and the garlic over your artichokes. Season with salt and pepper.

To make my favourite artichoke dip: Place a spoonful of mayo (about 1 to 2 tablespoons, begin with much less) in a bowl and squeeze the juice of half a lemon over. Stir to mix and season nicely with freshly floor black pepper and a pinch or two of salt. If it wants extra lemon — I prefer it very lemony — squeeze extra in. When you’d choose it creamier, add extra mayo.

Leftover artichoke halves hold within the fridge for just a few days and may be rewarmed within the microwave or the oven, coated so that they don’t dry out.