Artichokes, with their unique flavor and tender leaves, are a delightful addition to any meal. However, many people are unsure about how to cook artichokes to bring out their best qualities. In this guide, we will explore these lovely artichokes, from selecting the perfect ones to preparing and steaming them to perfection.
How to Cook Artichokes
Remove any smaller leaves near the base and excess stem, leaving about an inch intact.
Rinse the artichokes under cold running water, gently opening the leaves to ensure thorough cleaning. After that, don’t dry the artichokes; keep some water between leaves to keep moisture while cooking them, especially baking.
Cut the artichokes in half or quarter lengthwise.
Steaming
When it comes to cooking artichokes, steaming is the preferred method for its simplicity and ability to retain the right amount of moisture.
Steaming ensures that the artichokes are cooked to perfection without becoming waterlogged, unlike boiling. To steam artichokes, start by preparing a pot with a steaming basket and adding a few flavorful ingredients like a bay leaf, garlic, and a slice of lemon to the water.
Place the prepared artichokes on the steaming basket in the pot, cover it, and bring the water to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and let the artichokes steam for approximately 25 to 35 minutes or until the outer leaves can be easily pulled off. Ensure that the water level is maintained by adding more if necessary.
Baking
If you don’t have a steaming pot, don’t worry, an oven can substitute it to cook artichokes. Follow these steps:
Start by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C), one of the most appropriate temperature for baking from fish like salmon, pansagius to many types of meat and vegetables. Place the prepared artichokes in a baking tray and drizzle them with olive oil, ensuring they are well coated. Sprinkle them with salt, pepper, and any desired herbs or spices.
Cover the baking tray tightly with aluminum foil. Place the tray in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 45-50 minutes, or until the artichokes are tender and easily pierced with a knife. The baking time may vary depending on the size of the artichokes, so keep an eye on them to prevent overcooking.
Some tips for delicious artichokes
To ensure you achieve the perfect cooked artichokes every time, here are some valuable tips:
- Selecting the best artichokes: Choose artichokes that feel heavy and have leaves that squeak when squeezed. Avoid those with wide-open leaves, as they may be older.
- Aromatics for enhanced flavor: Infuse your artichokes with extra flavor by adding ingredients like garlic, bay leaf, rosemary, thyme, basil, or lemon to the steaming water.
- Maintaining the right cooking time: Steaming times may vary depending on the size of the artichokes. Keep a close eye on them and adjust the cooking time accordingly to avoid overcooking.
Artichokes recipes
Once you’ve mastered the art of cooking artichokes, it’s time to explore the many delicious dishes you can create. Here are a few recipes to get you started:
- Artichoke pizza. Artichoke pizza is a delectable twist on traditional pizza, featuring the rich and distinct flavor of artichokes. With its combination of tender artichoke hearts, gooey cheese, and savory toppings, it offers a unique and satisfying culinary experience.
- Artichoke salad. Make a fresh and healthy salad with steam artichokes, cherry tomatoes, lecttuce, basil, rucola, red cabbage. Mix with light vinegar and pepper, similar to cucumber salad.
- Creamy Baked Crab and Shrimp Stuffed Artichokes. Bake shrimp and crab meats then mix well with mayonnaise/ Parmesan cheese. Remove the core of steamed artichokes and put the shrimp and crab mixture in. Bake at 350°F (175°C) in 10 minutes. Serve as a side dish.
