Would you believe that I've never eaten an artichoke? - I mean straight up - nor cooked one...
I've had them in dips and I think once on a creamy pizza - and I've had artichoke hearts in salad - so I'm familiar with the flavor - but I've never just cooked one and eaten it...
So here goes...
...they were 99¢ at the grocery - I thought that was probably a pretty good price - but I don't really know...
...Julia says to break off the stem - not sure why as later she has us trim it flat...
...and break off the little leaves about the base...
...then you trim the top...
...and all the little spikes on all the leaves...
...rub the cut edges with lemon juice and then submerge in some vinegar water...
...then drop them into a large kettle of boiling salted water...
...They're done when the leaves pull off easily and are tender when a knife is inserted in the bottom...
...I thought it was funny that Julia said the 'any Frenchman would look with disfavor on a bright green boiled artichoke, knowing that baking soda had been added to the water'...she says they should be olive green...
...we just served this as a first course - instead of salad - and we all had fun eating them...
...just served with some beurre fondu - i.e., melted Earth Balance...
...they were very tasty and I liked them just fine - except for the leftover bits - I sort of have an aversion for things that have been in people's mouths left lying on the plate...
recipe link: here...
Substitutions:
only Earth Balance for butter
I've not eaten artichokes in this way, but we had them on our allotment and a very dear Turkish friend cooked them by taking the hearts and cooking them for us and they were delish.
ReplyDeleteI have to say I've always thought of them as too much trouble. They look very pretty in the garden!
I do love the tinned hearts on pizzas!
We love making artichokes. Sometimes we bake them in the oven and sometimes we steam them using a basket with an inch of water underneath. To the water we put lemon and some salt. Mmmm...I am hungry just thinking about them!
ReplyDeleteyeah, those look great. didn't know it was that easy, either.
ReplyDeletelove, k
I didn't have them until late in life and I looove them now. Like you I am grossed out by the leftover mouth bits.
ReplyDeleteWe love artichokes here! I never thought my kids would eat them, but they love them. I think they are great interactive food!
ReplyDeletemy mum used to cook artichokes like that when I was little - yum, yum, yum!
ReplyDelete