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Tuesday, March 22, 2011

Tasty Tuesdays...How to Cook an Artichoke

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Welcome to Tasty Tuesdays!
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I'm cheating a little bit here and reposting a post of mine, originally posted February 1, 2010.
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Growing up in an Italian family (I'm half Italian; hence my love for Italy & all things Italian) it was, and still is, very common for us to have artichokes as our vegetable with dinner - especially Sunday dinners.

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Just for fun, here is a photo from a trip I took to Seattle in 2001 of artichokes growing on a farm:
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In the United States, most artichokes you find in the grocery store come from Castroville, CA. They even have an Artichoke Festival there every year! You will find the best artichokes in season from March - May, but typically you can find them year round.
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You will need:
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- Fresh artichokes
- Olive oil
- Lemon juice
- Oregano
- Garlic flakes
- Salt
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Step 1: Cut off the stem of the artichoke so that it will stand upright.
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Step 2: Lay artichoke on side and cut off top 1.5" to 2" of leaves.
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.Step 3: Using kitchen shears, cut off tips of all remaining leaves.
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Your prepared artichoke will look like this:
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.Step 4: Place artichoke in pan and fill with a couple of inches of water. Bottom third of artichoke should be immersed in water. You can cook as many artichokes as you can fit in one pan, with all artichokes standing upright.
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Step 5: Drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over artichoke. I don't measure - just use an amount that seems good to you! Add oregano, garlic flakes, and salt to top of artichoke. Again, no need to measure. Just use a pinch for each artichoke you are cooking.
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Step 6: Cover pot and simmer on med / high for 35 - 45 minutes. Check your pot a few times during cooking to make sure that there is still water. If the water has gotten too low, just add a little more.
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Test artichoke by pulling off a leaf. If the leaf is easily pulled off, your artichoke is finished! Remove from pan and serve.
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Eat artichoke, leaf by leaf, working from the outside in. At the very end you will get to a bunch of small fuzzy leaves. Scrape those off and you will be at the artichoke heart - this is the best part! Some people like to serve their artichokes with garlic butter or another  dip - I usually just use plain butter.
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If anyone tries cooking an artichoke for the first time, I would love to know what you think!
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Now it's your turn.  What do you cook this week?
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.{ Please remember to add a link in your post back to Tasty Tuesdys or add the Tasty Tuesdays button to your post.  You will find the code on my sidebar.  Thanks! }
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{ I've linked this post up to Permanent Posies and Funky Junk Interiors }



32 comments:

  1. We love artichokes & I loved the tutorial. Will have to try that out. Thanks, Karen

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  2. Thanks Alissa, I love artichokes, but I never tried cooking them. I usually buy them in a can. I know...Shame, Shame!

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  3. This is so helpful...every time I make them they don't turn out right. I can't wait to try them using your directions...thank you!

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  4. Your artichokes look beautiful, wish I had some growing too. Thank you for hosting!

    -Brenda

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  5. Not only have I never cooked one, I've never even eaten one! I must try this! :)

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  6. Those artichokes look beautiful. Thanks for hosting!

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  7. I don't think I've ever seen an artichoke still attached to plant. Cool!

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  8. Great job on the artichokes! :)
    It's my first time here...and I'm linking up a popular roll in the Philippines called Pandesal(Pan De Sal which means salt bread)...but isn't that salty though. It's a little sweet and truly yummy! :)

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  9. wow, thanks for the tutorial! I have lots of artichoke plants and never knew how to cook them. so I would let them flower, and make floral arrangements with them. Maybe this year, I'll eat them! :)

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  10. We LOVE artichokes...fresh and canned. :) In fact, I add them into just about any pasta, pizza, dip, etc. YUM!

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  11. Thanks for the tutorial! I saw beautiful artichokes at a farmer's market this weekend but I passed on them because I had no idea how to prepare them. Now I'm going to give them a shot next time!

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  12. My kids beg me to buy artichokes whenever they see them in the stores. We love dipping them in a homemade vinaigrette.

    I always cook/steam mine upside down. Does it matter?

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  13. I have never cooked an artichoke, you make it look so easy. Thanks!

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  14. I love artichokes!!!! I would eat one every night if I could... I've never used oregano while cooking it - I will try this the next time.

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  15. My mom, growing up, made stuffed artichokes all the time. Now, I cannot replicate the dish. I wish I had paid more attention!

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  16. last year, i tried grilling an artichoke... :( it turned out horribly! the prickly leaves toward the center got stuck in my fingers; it was a mess!

    this recipe, however, looks a lot more manageable & something i am definitely willing to try. thanks for re-posting! :D:D:D

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  17. Alissa, I love that you posted this. I've never seen an artichoke plant, and I also didn't know when artichokes were in season. It was fun to learn something new. :) I love to try to use produce when it's in season and often more local. I'll definitely give this a try!

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  18. This is my first time here and I love your blog. All of the pictures are great! Thanks for hosting the link up!

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  19. I love artichokes but have never cooked my own - now I know how! Thanks for the step-by-step! As usual, I love your photographs :)

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  20. Back in the saddle after a hiatus last week! :) Loved learning how to properly cook an asparagus!

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  21. Love artichokes! Thanks for sharing.

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  22. Artichokes are a springtime favorite. I love to eat them as a guiltless snack while I watch TV.

    I linked up a recipe for a virtually fat free carrot muffin that is moist and flavorful and passes for full fat!!

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  23. Thanks for linking up with me. And thanks for sharing the info about the cameras. That is one of the most helpful websites I have found. Nikkon it is!

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  24. I have never eaten an artichoke. Your photos make me want to try... gorgeous! I'm not a big fan of vegetables in general, but I'll try anything once:)

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  25. You make it seem like I could do this! Love artichokes! Great tutorial, thanks!

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  26. Hi Alissa! I guess I took some of my small town upbringing for granted (Morro Bay, CA) My folks always had artichoke plants and they were so beautiful at the end of the season when the artichokes were allowed to flower into big huge lavender colored thistle flowers.
    I am sharing my recipe for Toasted Coconut Chocolate Chunk Cookies. These cookies are gluten free, but can be made with "regular" flour if you don't have issues with gluten.
    Thanks for hosting!

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  27. Artichokes are yummy but I find them frustrating! I'd sooner buy a huge Costco size jar of jarred artichokes and just snack away!

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  28. LOL Alissa, Artichokes and brussel sprouts are two of my favorite vegetables because they looks so silly when they grow! So delicious when you eat them too and with the artichoke it is such a ritual! Linking up some easy barbecue beef on a bun. All the best, Alex

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  29. Thanks for sharing recipes . i like this recipe ,

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  30. Beautiful photos of the artichokes and great directions. I've never made them before.

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  31. I have never eaten an artichoke. Your photos make me want to try, really gorgeous. I am not a big fan of vegetables in general, but I will try anything once.

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