steamed artichokes – smitten kitchen

Trim artichokes: Reduce the ground inch of thorny leaves off each and every artichoke. Take away any small, discolored leaves across the aspects and nearer to the stem; they’re no longer going to style excellent. Use a vegetable peeler to take away the outer layer of the stem. Reduce each and every artichoke in part in the course of the stem, center, and leaves. In case you’d like, you’ll rub the minimize portions of each and every artichoke with one lemon part to restrict browning.

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

Use tongs to switch artichokes to a slicing board, and use a spoon or paring knife to take away and discard the bushy choke. Your artichokes are actually in a position to devour, however in case you’d like a posh end:

For a sizzled end: Warmth a big skillet over medium-high warmth and upload butter and garlic. As soon as scorching, position minimize aspects of 1 artichoke in pan and prepare dinner till browned and crisp beneath, then switch to serving platter. Repeat with final artichokes. Pour any butter left in pan and the garlic over your artichokes. Season with salt and pepper.

To make my favourite artichoke dip: Position a spoonful of mayo (about 1 to two tablespoons, get started with much less) in a bowl and squeeze the juice of part a lemon over. Stir to mix and season smartly with freshly flooring black pepper and a pinch or two of salt. If it wishes extra lemon — I find it irresistible very lemony — squeeze extra in. In case you’d like it creamier, upload extra mayo.

Leftover artichoke halves stay within the refrigerator for a couple of days and will also be rewarmed within the microwave or the oven, coated in order that they don’t dry out.