How to Cook Artichokes

Introduction

Fresh whole artichokes are fun to eat--just be sure to have some receptacles around for the discarded leaves. Artichokes are not only eaten, they can also be used to make tea and Cynar, which is an Italian liquor.

By: eHow Food & Drink Editor

Length: 2:18

Comments: 14

View more articles by this author

Flag | RSS

(158)

Add to Favorites

URL:
Embed:

Instructions

Text Size: – +

Print Article

Difficulty: Easy

Tips & Warnings:

Add a vegetable bouillon cube, lemon juice or vinegar to the artichoke boiling or steaming water for extra flavor.
Cooking time depends on artichoke size. Check for doneness by pulling out an inner leaf, making sure it comes out easily.
See the Related eHow "Eat an Artichoke" for more on that delicate task.

Step1

Wash artichokes in cold water.

Step2

Cut off the top inch or so from each artichoke. If there are any leaves with thorns on their tops remaining, pull them out.

Step3

Boil artichokes in salted water 20 to 45 minutes, until artichokes are tender.

Step4

Alternatively, steam artichokes for 15 to 30 minutes, or until tender.

Step5

As another option, microwave artichokes, individually wrapped in plastic, for 8 to 15 minutes.

Step6

Drain artichokes well, upside down. Serve with melted butter to dip the leaves in, or try homemade mayonnaise or garlic mayonnaise.

Step7

To trim and cook just the artichoke hearts and inner leaves, first fill a large mixing bowl with cold water and add the juice of one lemon.

Step8

Remove all the tough outer leaves from an artichoke. Stop removing leaves when you get to the tender, light green ones.

Step9

Cut about 1 to 2 inches off the top of the artichoke, then cut the artichoke into quarters. Put three quarters in the bowl of water and work with the remaining quarter.

Step10

Use a spoon to remove the fuzzy choke and purple and white inner leaves from the center of the artichoke. Slice the artichoke quarter into as many slices as you want; put the slices in the water and proceed with another quarter.

Step11

Sauté, braise or stew the artichoke slices as you wish.

Comments

abigail said

Flag This Comment

on 4/12/2008 Yum - I can't wait to try this. I've always been too intimidated to purchase artichokes fresh, but this sounds doable to me! Thanks!

joeciccone said

Flag This Comment

on 4/12/2008 Italian Stuffed - wash, nip of tips if you like. Place upside down on counter and press down to help begin opening leaves, turn over and continue to spread opening leaves. Drizzle olive oil into artichoke, then starting in the center leaves,(using a teaspoon) place mixture of 'seasoned breadcrumbs/gratted cheese'in to each opend leaf, working your way outward. Place enough stuffed artichoke in the top portion of a steamer/ cover and cook until you can pull out a leaf without much effort. If you don't have a steamer, use regular pot with 3/4 water/ cover/ and keep adding a little water as needed, until cooked.

Eveke said

Flag This Comment

on 4/12/2008 A South Amerian - Chilean way to eat Artichokes: Vinagrette dip for artichokes... I make a mixture of half a lemon's juice, some balsamic, red wine vinegar, grape seed oil or olive oil, a little bit of salt and mix well. Very tasty!

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 4/12/2008 Chop garlic into large pieces and put in the water under a vegetable steamer. Place artichokes on the steamer and boil. When they are done, take out the soft garlic pieces and add to melted butter for dipping.

Anonymous said

Flag This Comment

on 4/19/2008 Squeeze lemon, lime, or other acidic flavoring on the leaves or in the boiling water. Remember that whatever you put in there you will taste, so I'd recommend sticking to lemon or lime.

View All