Tips for Cooking a Delicious Artichoke
An artichoke is an interesting and intimidating vegetable. It actually turns out to be super easy to cook, and once you learn how to do it properly, easy to eat as well.
Artichokes are one of the most attractive vegetables. The soft petal bases and heart of the vegetable are the edible portions. It is one of the most highly nutritious vegetables available during the winter.
This vegetable has amazing health benefits, including those for your cardiovascular health, immunity, digestion, blood health, bone and muscle health, and weight control. Dietary fiber is regarded as a vital aid in weight control and this hearty vegetable is packed with 6.5 grams of fiber. (Healthy Eating)
Give it a try and you won't regret it. This is one of my favorite vegetables lately, among Asparagus and Brussel Sprouts. I'll be sharing great recipes with you for these yummy veggies too!
Cook Time
Ingredients
- 1 large artichoke
- 2-3 cups water
- 1 clove garlic
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
- Wash your artichoke thoroughly with water just before you use it.
- Lay it on its side on a cutting board. Cut about 1 inch off the top of the artichoke, and all but 1 inch of the stem, making sure to leave the stem flat so the artichoke can stand up straight on its own.
- You will want to cut off the tips of all of the leaves. This is not because they will poke you, because they will soften during cooking time. It's more for aesthetics.
- Also pull of all of the smaller leaves by the stem.
- Place a vegetable steamer basket into a large pot and fill it with 2-3 cups of water (until it's filled to just below the basket).
- Smash, peel and chop your garlic clove into big pieces and throw it into the water under your steamer basket before placing in on the stove.
- Place your artichoke top down in your steamer basket, in your pot, on the stove.
- Boil covered for approximately 30 minutes, or until the outer leave pull off easily.
- Halfway through cooking, turn your artichoke over onto its bottom and drizzle it with your 2 tablespoons of olive oil, to finish cooking.
- Serve with melted butter on the side for dipping, or feel free to pour it over the top of the artichoke on your plate or in your bowl.
- You may also choose to serve it with a dipping sauce like mayo, ranch, horseradish, etc.
Nutritional Information
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Serving size: 1 artichoke | |
| Calories | 60 |
| Calories from Fat | 0 |
| % Daily Value * | |
| Fat 0 g | |
| Saturated fat 0 g | |
| Unsaturated fat 0 g | |
| Carbohydrates 13 g | 4% |
| Sugar 0 g | |
| Fiber 7 g | 28% |
| Protein 4 g | 8% |
| Cholesterol 0 mg | |
| Sodium 114 mg | 5% |
| * The Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet, so your values may change depending on your calorie needs. The values here may not be 100% accurate because the recipes have not been professionally evaluated nor have they been evaluated by the U.S. FDA. | |
Cooking an artichoke is the easy part. Eating it is going to be a little bit trickier.
Artichokes have a very interesting taste that might require you to try it not once, but twice. If you don't think you like it the first time, don't worry. I didn't either. But as we're trying to get pregnant, artichokes are high on the list for super vitamins and nutrients. I was willing to try again.
Now I love them! They kind of tease you by only giving you a little bit at a time per leaf and saving the best part for last at the bottom. A little bit of olive oil drizzled over the top during the steaming process, and melted butter to dip in makes this the ultimate snack anytime, or an amazing appetizer to serve at a dinner party.
Be on the lookout for my article actually teaching you How to Eat an Artichoke and get the best out of it!
Quick Poll
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© 2013 Victoria Van Ness
