I just made artichokes for the first time in ... well, at least 2 years I think. I had grown tired of my old way of cooking them: putting water in the bottom of the pot so they weren't completely submerged, but then having to keep a constant eye on them to make sure the water didn't run out. And I never knew exactly how long to cook them. I would poke with a knife or try to pull off the leaves and test if they were done. So, despite being my favorite food in the world, I kinda gave up on them for a while. But last week my mom said she read you can wrap them up in foil like a potato and cook them that way in the oven. So I gave it a try. They were a bit overcooked, but I'm definitely going to try this again. And they were so good! I dip mine in melted butter, but I've heard others dip in mayonaise. My brother-in-law has been making flavored mayos, so I hear most of my family is dipping in that now. I'm really excited to have artichokes back on the menu! I even have some old layouts about artichokes!
I love artichokes! I have a HUGE picture of an artichoke that went in a dining room at one of the places we lived. Haven't had a wall big enough for it again in a long time. My kitchen is veggie décor so the artichoke was my crowning piece. Like almost 99% of my veggies, I like them roasted with olive oil and a little salt. It's my standard cooking method for everything vegetable.
Oooh I love artichokes, but I rarely cook them! I have only ever tried boiling them, but I'm eager to try to oven method. @Tiff how long/what temp did you do? Roasting sounds good too... I always just dip them in butter and enjoy. So good!
I love artichokes too! I've steamed them previously. You add the water to the steamer and then it cooks them in a certain amount of time. I think (it's been awhile) about 30-40 minutes. I must try the potato way! Do you have a link to the recipe that you tried. I've heard that stuffing them is yummy too!
I've never purchased or cooked an artichoke. The only time I've eaten them is when they have artichoke dip smoothered in cheeses at restaurants for an appetizer. yummy! Maybe I should give it a try?
I haven't cooked artichokes myself yet either. But my first favorite at Panera, way back around 2008, was their Turkey Artichoke Panini. And I've enjoyed other restaurant items with artichoke in them. I'm a creature of habit and not adventurous in the kitchen. Maybe someday though! I do love roasted veggies.
You should definitely try them! Do you wrap them in foil? It was 425 degrees for 80 minutes. My artichokes got a little bit scorched on the very bottom, and the top leaves were pretty dark. But nothing tasted burnt. Next time I'll either take the temp down a little (maybe 400?) OR cut the time by 10 minutes and see what happens. My mom had actually said she was going to cut the time by 5 minutes the next time she cooks them; but I didn't know how big hers were. Mine were pretty jumbo, so I went with the full time to start. No Recipe, my mom just said 425 for 80 minutes. But it was a bit overcooked, and jumbo artichokes. Is your "steamer" a special type of pot? YES! You should try. I had a roommate who ate artichokes with me once in college and she said it sounded "orgasmic." Yesterday, my son refused to eat one, but he said, and I quote, "It's fascinating to watch you feed on these."
My steamer is a separate pot thing. Kind of like this one here: http://www.amazon.com/Decker-HS1000-Steamer-Flavor-Scenter/dp/B0007VZZNO. Just plop items in and then eat. I will have to try the baked potato way. It sounds super easy. I could even stuff the leaves with olive oil, and some cheese! NOM! I might lower the temp a smidge and the time only since we don't seem to get jumbo chokes. @~Mary Information! How do you roast them so they don't turn black? Temp and time? Open or wrapped?
In Malta the traditional way is to stuff them with a cheese/breadcrumb/garlic mixture. Not my favourite but here is a link to 2 u tube videos from my pinterest. the first it the " proper " Maltese way. The next is how most people do it. https://www.pinterest.com/pin/433612270355330045/ https://www.pinterest.com/pin/433612270355330093/ it is easier than it looks.
Cut top and stem off, "fluff" out leaves, drizzle with EVO and salt, wrap in foil, bake 1 to 1.5 hours until done. I found a blog post that pretty much describes it and she adds garlic. I don't usually do the garlic but might try it. I only do this if we run across really pretty ones that we want to eat by themselves as a side. http://pinchmysalt.com/how-to-roast-whole-artichokes/ One of my favorite artisan pizzas has artichokes on it. So yum! If I'm making artichoke spinach dip or other recipes I use the jars. We looooove this dip and have been making it for a long, long time. http://www.copykat.com/2009/02/02/olive-garden-hot-artichoke-dip/
I've only ever boiled them - one time I tried grilling them, but I think I should have boiled them partially first because they were perfectly charred over low heat, but not quite done. I finished them in the microwave - but was not as awesome as I hoped. I was aiming for something I'd had in a restaurant... BTW - both of my kids faves
I love artichokes, but I've only ever had them from a can! I totally need to try some of these recipes. I wonder if they are totally different fresh?
How funny. I've never heard of them in a can. I've seen hearts on a jar, is that the same thing? I love fresh ones way better, but do like marinated artichoke hearts, depending on the marinade.
I just got back from the grocery store and I wish I had looked for artichokes. I haven't cooked them in a couple years, but I always did the 2 inches of water thing...the dipped in butter. I'm willing to try other ways to cook them, but I'm not dipping them in mayo!
I've seen baby artichokes in jars with a vinegar/oil dressing. They can be good, but totally different from fresh. I think you also have to be "taught" how to eat them . My sister had a friend.. They ate the leaves (you scrape off the soft parts with your teeth, you don't eat the whole leaf). But this family did not know about the hearts! They didn't eat the hearts! And I could see that if you didn't know there was a heart, you might not think to scrape out all the fuzzys to get to it!
