Artichokes are Mediterranean plants that can be cooked in various ways, including steaming, boiling, roasting, and grilling. They can be served with dips or incorporated into other dishes and make a tasty snack. Select firm artichokes with tightly clustered leaves and cook them even if not eaten right away.
Artichokes are Mediterranean plants in the thistle family. They appear in the cuisine of many Mediterranean nations and are also quite delicious on their own. There are several ways to cook artichokes, depending on personal taste and how the artichokes will be eaten. In all cases, you want to select firm artichokes with no signs of wilting or stickiness, and the leaves should be tightly clustered around the central core. They can be kept in the refrigerator for about three to four days, but you should cook the artichokes afterward, even if you don’t plan to eat them right away.
The easiest way to cook artichokes is by steaming or boiling. In both cases, the top of the artichoke should be cut off with a sharp knife and the base of the stem removed. To cook artichokes in a steamer, put a small amount of water in the bottom of the steamer, then place the artichokes inside. Steam them for about 40 minutes or until the leaves are easily torn off. To boil the artichokes, use a deep saucepan with about 8cm of water. You can add olive oil, lemon juice or other seasonings to the water. Place the cut artichokes inside, top up and boil until the stem is soft. When cooking artichokes by boiling, remember to drain them upside down before eating so they are not watery.
Artichokes can also be roasted. Some recipes call for roasted or stuffed artichokes. To prepare artichokes for roasting, cut off the top and bottom and scoop out the innards of the artichoke. Stuff the artichokes with the desired ingredients and cook them in a pan with a shallow layer of water. You can also cut artichokes in half and scoop out the insides for roasting. Little artichokes, artichokes that have not yet developed hard, pointy leaves, can be roasted and eaten whole, as long as the tops are cut off.
Grilled artichokes are another popular preparation. To grill artichokes, start by chopping them and steaming them lightly, about 35 minutes. Next, cut the artichokes in half lengthwise so you can remove the inedible innards. Marinate the artichokes, preferably overnight, then place them on the grill, turning them so both sides are browned and basted to keep them from burning. When grilling artichokes, you can try wrapping them in bacon or glazing them with maple syrup, honey, or a sugar marinade for a caramelized treat.
The many ways to cook artichokes leave a lot of flexibility in serving them. A wide variety of dips and salsas can be made to accompany artichokes, or they can be incorporated into other dishes such as quiche or casserole. Artichokes can also be served hot or cold and make a midday snack.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
