Artichoke?

[Catrin]

Trader Joe's had whole artichokes yesterday for $1.19 so I picked up one. I've no idea what to do with it, but am trying to broaden my vegetable horizons. I am looking for recommendations - what is YOUR favorite thing to do with whole artichokes?

[VeganBikeChick]

Steam them and make an aioli for dipping

[westtexas]

I steam mine and then eat them with butter or ghee.

Basically, you cut part of the top off so that it will stand flat in about 1/2" water in a pan. Get the water to a simmer and cover for ~20 minutes. It's ready when the center leaves pull out fairly easily (if you've never done this before, try to pull out a center leave before you steam for a comparison). Then you just peel the leaves off one by one, dip the base of them in your butter or ghee and scrape the meat off with your teeth. When you get to the center, the leaves get all wimpy and pointy, so I just pull those off until you get down to the flower. Use a knife to cut the hairy stuff out of the center and you're left with the heart. Cut into eights or quarters and dip in butter. YUM.

I LOVE artichokes.

[malkin]

Check youtube for a video!

[shootingstar]

Admittedly it looks like taking off alot of external leaf to get to the real tasty part? But same thing for a fresh pineapple.

I'm happy to have it at a restaurant.

[malkin]

The bottom of each leaf should be a tasty bit.
The heart is a big tasty bit.

Eating them is very interactive.

In prep I use a mighty knife to trim the thorns off of the top of the outside leaves and scissors to trim the thorns off of the shorter leaves on the outside. Just peel off and pitch any crappy little leaves near the stem.

[snapdragen]

The bottom of each leaf should be a tasty bit.
The heart is a big tasty bit.

Eating them is very interactive.

In prep I use a mighty knife to trim the thorns off of the top of the outside leaves and scissors to trim the thorns off of the shorter leaves on the outside. Just peel off and pitch any crappy little leaves near the stem.

This^^^^^^

Here's a nifty recipe, with pictures! I usually cook my 'chokes in plain water, or in the microwave. I may try this one though with garlic and bay leaf added to the water.

[melissam]

This^^^^^^

Here's a nifty recipe, with pictures! I usually cook my 'chokes in plain water, or in the microwave. I may try this one though with garlic and bay leaf added to the water.

Hey Snap,

I used that same recipe this week! It works like a charm, and the mayo with balsamic is FANTASTIC!!!!

Maybe we should have artichokes this afternoon....

- Mel

[Catrin]

Yummm! I am looking forward to my experiment I don't have any mayo however, so will wait until tomorrow evening and have it as part of my (hopefully) post-long ride dinner. THAT depends on the weather, but now I am really curious about this odd looking vegetable. They didn't have it in cold-storage at the store so am just keeping it on the kitchen counter until I am ready to try it.

Thanks!