Steamed Artichokes

served with garlic butter for dipping

Here's a recipe that is simple to make, but kind of a project to eat (pulling off the leaves, dipping them and scraping off the paltry amount of flesh with your teeth). Some may think it's too small of a reward for the effort, but I think it's a fun activity to share with friends on a night when you want to take your time and dine (as opposed to the usual shoveling in of dinner as quickly as possible so you don't miss Wheel of Fortune).

STEAMED ARTICHOKES

Yield: 2

2 whole artichokes, washed

2 tablespoons butter, melted

1/2 lemon

salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

1.      Trim off and discard the stems and tough outer leaves of the artichokes (make sure you don’t cut off too much of the artichoke heart when cutting off the stem). Separate the leaves to open a little (so they will steam more evenly and it will be easier to check the center for doneness).

2.      Fill the pan with enough water to just reach the bottom of the steamer insert. Bring to a boil. Place steamer insert in pot and put artichokes in the steamer, stem-side down.  

3.      Drizzle the butter in between the artichoke leaves. Then squeeze the lemon over the leaves, trying to get the juice in between. Cover and steam until tender, about 45 minutes (leaves should pull off easily and a fork should slide very easily into the center).

How to eat:

Remove a leaf from the artichoke. Dip in melted garlic butter (or other butter/sauce) and scrape the fleshy part off with your teeth (do not eat the whole leaf). Try not to argue over who gets to eat the heart in the middle!

raw artichokes, leaves pulled apart a little to open them up

steaming

steamed

I sprinkled minced garlic on my artichokes before I steamed them and the garlic turned a greenish-blueish color (which is why I think dipping the leaves in garlic butter might be a better way to go).  I don't think it will hurt you to eat greenish-blueish garlic, but it is a little disturbing. You might be able to see what I mean if you click on the photo above.