Basic Artichokes Recipes

SIMPLE STEAMED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cut stem from artichokes and discard, making sure the bottom of each artichoke is flat. Cut top 1 inch (or so) of the artichoke and discard. Snip the thorny ends from each artichoke leaf with a pair of kitchen scissors.
• Fill the bottom of a pot with a couple of inches of water, adding garlic, lemon juice, and bay leaf to the water. Place a steamer basket in the pot, making sure that the water does not flow over the bottom of the steamer basket.
• Place the artichokes in the basket, resting on the flattened bottoms.
• Bring water to a boil, cover the pot, and cook until the leaves can be easily pulled from the artichoke, 20 to 30 minutes.

THE MOST AMAZING ROASTED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Use a knife to slice off the bottom 1/2-inch (or more, if you'd like) of the artichoke stems, and the top 1 inch of the artichoke globes (the leaves on top). Remove and discard any small leaves toward the bottoms of the stems. Rinse the artichokes with water.
• Slice the artichokes in half vertically. Use a spoon to scoop out the fuzzy "choke" in the middle of the artichoke. Then use kitchen shears to trim about 1/4/-inch off the pointy tips of each of the artichoke leaves (so that they don't poke you when you eat them). Rub a lemon wedge all over the entire surface of each artichoke half, to prevent browning.
• Place the artichoke halves in a baking dish or on a baking sheet cut-side-up. Brush the cut sides of the artichokes evenly with the olive oil. Then fill the cavities evenly with the garlic, followed by a few small sprigs of the fresh herbs. Season with salt and pepper.
• Flip the artichokes over, using the herbs to help hold in the garlic, so that they are cut-side-down. Brush the tops of the artichokes with oil, and season with salt and pepper.
• Bake uncovered for 15 minutes. Then remove and cover the pan with aluminum foil, and bake for an additional 25-35 minutes, or until the artichokes are tender and the leaves pull off easily.
• Place the tray on a cooling rack. Carefully remove, discard the herbs (or stir them into your dipping sauce for extra flavor), and drizzle the artichokes with extra lemon juice.
• Serve the roasted artichokes warm with your desired dipping sauce.

SIMPLY ROASTED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C).
• Place artichokes stem-side down in a bowl and drizzle with lemon juice.
• Slightly separate the artichoke leaves with your hands.
• Insert a knife blade into the center of each artichoke to create a garlic clove-size space.
• Drizzle each artichoke with olive oil.
• Press 1 clove of garlic into the center of each artichoke and season with salt.
• Tightly wrap each artichoke twice with heavy-duty aluminum foil.
• Place in baking dish and bake in the preheated oven until sizzling, about 1 hour 20 minutes