Globe artichokes are those wonderful, deep green to purple round fruits growing in the fields this time of year in the Sacramento Valley. This thorny delicacy is the flower of a thistle plant, and the center has an area where the purple flower grows as the artichoke matures.
Buying fresh artichokes
When buying artichokes, choose ones that are heavy for their size, a deep rich green, sometimes with purple tips, and with leaves tightly closed around the globe. If you pick up an artichoke that has loose leaves, is light, or has brown streaks, it may not be as fresh as is best.
Artichokes are a good example of a slow food. Enjoy them with plenty of time and plenty of friends. They take a bit of time to prepare and hopefully just as long to eat.
Cooking artichokes
Wash the artichoke under cool running water. Slice a lemon in half. With a pair of kitchen shears, snip off the tips of the leaves that have the sharp thorns. Work your way from the bottom of the artichoke, around and up one or two levels. Then squeeze fresh lemon juice over the cut edges to prevent browning. Continue snipping until all of the thorny leaf tips are gone. This can be tricky, as the inner, smaller leaves also have thorns.
Boil the artichokes in a large saucepan with at least two quarts of water with two teaspoons of vinegar. Artichokes turn an olive green in the water, and the vinegar helps to maintain the color. Avoid using baking soda in the water or they'll end up a green the shade of the ooze in a lazer tag field.
Once they are boiled, they may be eaten. They may also be cut into quarters, brushed with olive oil, and grilled. The hearts may be cut up and put into salads, pizzas, and other dishes. Some people quarter them, dip them in a flour based batter, and fry them in olive oil.
Smaller artichokes have less sharp thorns. Baby artichokes that are about the size of the plum don't need to be trimmed. They may be cooked and eaten as is.
Eating artichokes
Artichokes that are steamed are eaten leaf by leaf. Gently pull off a leaf and dip it in a little olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Scrape off the flesh with your teeth. When all the leaves have been eaten, you'll see the heart, which may be eaten with a knife and fork.
Some people dip artichokes in mayonnaise with salt and pepper, some in butter, some in olive oil. There are many recipes for dips for artichokes, but my favorite is one of the simplest. Put 2 tablespoons of olive oil with one tablespoon of aged balsamic vinegar in a saucer. Cover with fresh grated black pepper and a sprinkle of parmesan cheese. Another simple artichoke dip recipe is to make a cheese fondue with 1 part medium cheddar, one part mozzarella, and one part parmesan cheeses. Heat until melted and carefully dip the artichoke leaves in the cheese sauce.
Health benefits of artichokes
According to the USDA nutrition website, a medium artichoke has 90 calories, 4 grams of protein and 7 grams of fiber. They are also an excellent source of vitamin C and folate. Vitamin C may help with bruising by strengthening the capillary walls, the vessels close to the skin. Such a high fiber content also helps with regularity and blood pressure. Adding more vegetables to a diet, including artichokes, makes for a healthier lifestyle.
Never miss a post!
Follow me on Twitter as @Dinnermagic.
Subscribe to the RSS feed for the Sacramento Easy Meals Examiner and the Sacramento Budget Wine Examiner.
Sign up to have the articles emailed to you.
Visit my food blog, Dinner Magic, where every Wednesday you can find a weeks worth of easy dinner menus, recipes, and complete shopping list.
How to Cook and Eat an Artichoke Simply Recipes
www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/how_to_cook_and_eat_an_artYour recipes are simple, basic, and easy to ... different types of cooking and eating an artichoke, ... tonight to get adventurous and buy a couple artichokes.
How to buy, cook, and eat an artichoke with easy recipes for dips ...
www.examiner.com/article/how-to-buy-cook-and-eat-an-artichoke-with...Apr 28, 2010 There are many artichoke recipes but most people eat them boiled with a dip. Photo/Wikimedia Commons Globe artichokes are those wonderful, deep green
How to Prepare and Cook Artichokes from Ocean Mist Farms
www.oceanmist.com/products/how-to-prepare/index.aspxFind out how to prepare and cook an Artichoke. Whether you are an Artichoke Amateur or and Artichoke Master, our guide to preparing Artichokes and using them
How to Cook Artichokes Plus 3 Easy Artichoke Recipes -
www.mensfitness.com Nutrition What to EatThe Fridge 3 Easy Artichoke Recipes for Spring ... If youre clueless about how to cook (or eat) ... How to Purchase: When artichokes are at their peak, ...
Dips for Steamed Artichokes - How to Serve Artichokes
localfoods.about.com/od/dipsspreads/tp/artichokedips.htmNext time you steam artichokes, try one of these delicious dips for a switch from classic melted butter.
Artichoke Dip Recipes - Food Network - Easy Recipes, Healthy ...
www.foodnetwork.com/recipe-collections/artichoke-dipCheck out the best-ever Artichoke Dip Recipes, sure to start it right. Smoky Spinach Artichoke Dip. ... Cook Time: 25 mins Level: Easy. 1-12 of 33 Artichoke Dip Recipes
RECIPES::Vegetables::How to Cook Jerusalem Artichokes
www.greatfood.ie/item_display.asp?cde=2&id=764Buy them as big as you ... Keep an eye on them as they are easy to overcook. Cook the artichokes with ... Portugeuse Food Dessert recipes Healthy Eating ...
Artichokes - About Artichokes - How to Use Artichokes
localfoods.about.com/od/artichokes/tp/aboutartichokes.htmThis guide shows how to buy, store, trim, and cook artichokes ... how hungry must the first person to eat an artichoke have ... (find great dips for steamed artichokes).
Dip & Spread Recipes - Appetizers - Recipe.com
www.recipe.com Recipes AppetizersEasy recipes for hot and cold dips as well as spreads ... From spicy queso to chili cheese to spinach and artichoke, cheese dips are ... Eating Well; Better Recipes;
6 Easy Ways To Cook An Artichoke: Plus Tips : TipNut.com
tipnut.com Food Cooking TipsHow to eat them: Simply pull off a ... 2 Comments to 6 Easy Ways To Cook An Artichoke: ... Now I know and I cant wait to go buy some fresh artichokes to use ...
Spinach-Artichoke Dip Real Simple Recipes
www.realsimple.com Food & Recipes Browse All Recipes1 12-ounce jar artichoke hearts, ... Get Real Simple recipes Real Simple ... Shop, Prep, Cook; Real Weddings; Tools, Videos, Checklists; Site Map;
Search - Food Network - Easy Recipes, Healthy Eating Ideas and ...
www.foodnetwork.com/search/delegate.do?N=4294959882&fnSearchString=...Shop Top Brands, Specials & Best Sellers. Shop by Category; Shop Best Brands
Dip Appetizer Recipes - Food.com
www.food.com Course AppetizerFrom crab dip to guacamole to spinach-and-artichoke, weve got plenty of dip recipes for your next ... Meet July's Star Home Cook! ... More Quick & Easy Dips Recipes.
Hot Artichoke Dip - Recipe - Cooks.com
IngredientsDirectionsReviewswww.cooks.com Recipes Dips DressingsRating: 5/5 13 reviewsHome > Recipes > Dips Dressings > Hot Artichoke Dip ... It is so easy to make and such a hit! I like to cut up bread and serve pita
Artichoke Dipping Sauce Recipe Average BettyAverage Betty
www.averagebetty.com/recipes/artichoke-dipping-sauce-recipeEat your heart out! Artichokes are the diva of vegetables. ... there is a school of mayonnaise based dips that offer more variety. ... Cook the artichoke.
How to Make Artichoke Dip eHow
www.ehow.com Food & Drink Appetizers, Soups & Salads DipsBy eHow Food & Drink EditorFamily Cooking. Easy Recipes; Family Meals; Snacks; ... Dips; How to Make Artichoke Dip; ... This quick and easy, artichoke and spinach dip ...
Party Food Dips and Spreads Recipes Snackpicks - Ideas to
www.snackpicks.com/townhouse/party-food.htmlEasy Anytime Dips, ... This is one of my more "gourmet" recipes, but it's still very easy to cook. ... Artichoke Spread. Find a Recipe.
Easy Artichoke Dip Serious Eats : Recipes
www.seriouseats.com/recipes/2010/09/easy-artichoke-dip-recipe.htmlCook the Book; Cookie Monster; ... -For-Recipes-Index Easy Artichoke Dip helenjane Sep 30, 2010 6:21 PM 3 comments Tags: appetizers; artichokes; dips; holiday
Dips recipes - CookEatShare
cookeatshare.com/popular/dips-recipesCaramelized Onion Dip. 116 views. a party staple in our house. Its a good dip to make when you are out of time and need
Artichoke Dip Recipe Cooking How To Martha Stewart Recipes
www.marthastewart.com/313987/artichoke-dipMake Martha Stewart's Artichoke Dip recipe. How To and Step-by-Step Instructions from Martha Stewart.
Dips for Steamed Artichokes - How to Serve Artichokes
localfoods.about.com/od/dipsspreads/tp/artichokedips.htmNext time you steam artichokes, try one of these delicious dips for a switch from classic melted butter.
Quick and Easy Artichoke Dip Recipe Simply Recipes
www.simplyrecipes.com/recipes/quick_and_easy_artichoke_dipQuick and Easy Artichoke Dip. 54 ... This is one of the quickest, easiest, tastiest artichoke dip recipes around. ... depends on how much of it they eat, ...
No comments:
Post a Comment