Frequent question: What is the easiest way to cook an artichoke?

Is it better to steam or boil artichokes?

But my favorite way to cook artichokes, and the easiest way to cook them, is to steam them. I find that boiling artichokes tends to water-log them, but steaming artichokes cooks them with just the right amount of moisture.

How do you steam an artichoke without a steamer?

How to Steam Artichokes in the Microwave

  1. Put trimmed artichokes in a microwave-proof dish. Add about 1/4 inch of water to the dish and cover with a microwave-proof lid.
  2. Microwave on High for 4 minutes. Check for doneness (see above). If they’re not done, continue microwaving for a minute at a time until done.

What part of the artichoke is poisonous?

The remaining parts of the artichoke, the outer portion of the leaves, the hairy stuff at the bottom (called the choke), and the stem, should never, under any circumstances, be eaten. No parts of the vegetable are poisonous, but attempting to eat an entire artichoke can have serious consequences.

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Should I soak artichokes before cooking?

Rub all cut surfaces with a lemon half to keep them from turning dark. Some cooks like to soak the trimmed artichoke in lemony water for an hour or so before cooking to improve taste and tenderness.

Why is artichoke bad for you?

Artichokes are low in fat while rich in fiber, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants.

1. Loaded With Nutrients.

Raw Cooked (boiled)
Fat 0.2 grams 0.4 grams
Vitamin C 25% of the RDI 15% of the RDI
Vitamin K 24% of the RDI 22% of the RDI
Thiamine 6% of the RDI 5% of the RDI

Should I Cut artichokes in half before boiling?

Cut them in half so the steam penetrates the center more easily and the artichokes cook faster and more evenly. Steam them instead of boiling them so they don’t get too soggy from the water and they stay dry enough to get good browning on the grill. Sprinkle with salt and lemon juice to serve.

How long do I boil an artichoke for?

Place the artichokes base side down in the boiling water, lower heat to simmer and weight the tops of the artichokes with a dish or pot lid that fits into the pot to keep the artichokes submerged. Simmer the artichokes until the base can easily be pierced with a knife point, 20 to 40 minutes.

How do you cut and cook an artichoke?

How do you prepare artichokes?

  1. Slice off the stem and pick off the lower leaves.
  2. Cut off about ½-inch from the top of the artichoke. …
  3. At this point, you can clean the artichoke. …
  4. Use kitchen scissors to snip the tips of the outer leaves so that they have flat edges.
  5. Your artichoke is now ready for cooking!
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Are artichokes good for you?

Because of their tough exterior, artichokes take some careful preparation. But your efforts will reap nutritional rewards — the veggie is a good source of folate, dietary fiber, and vitamins C and K. Artichokes are also packed with antioxidants; they’re number 7 on the USDA’s top 20 antioxidant-rich foods list.

How do you get an artichoke out of your throat?

Choke: True to its name, this inedible hairy section will stick to your throat. Scoop it out with a melon baller or spoon before cooking. Snip off thorns, pull away outer leaves, peel stem. Cut artichoke in half lengthwise and scoop out choke.

How do you eat an artichoke properly?

How To Eat An Artichoke

  1. Artichokes may be served hot or cold. To eat, pull off outer petals one at a time.
  2. Dip base of petal into sauce or melted butter; pull through teeth to remove soft, pulpy portion of petal. Discard remaining petal. …
  3. Spoon out fuzzy center at base; discard.

Can you eat the purple part of an artichoke?

The very center of the flower head consists of prickly purple leaves and a fuzzy choke that shouldn’t be consumed (they could, indeed, cause you to choke)—they are discarded before or during the eating of the remaining artichoke.

Should artichokes be refrigerated?

Storing. Sprinkle artichokes with a few drops of water and store in a perforated plastic bag in the coldest part of the refrigerator for up to 1 week. If cooking them on the day you buy them, leave them at cool room temperature. Once opened, marinated artichoke hearts will keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.

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How do you tell if an artichoke is done?

You can tell when your artichoke is cooked by nimbly taking off a leaf. If it falls off easily, it’s probably cooked. But, to be sure – cool it down and take a bite from the bottom of the leaf i.e. the part nearest the innards of artichoke. It’s a small part, but this is the only part of the leaf that is edible.

Do you need to peel artichokes?

Just scrub them clean – there’s no need to peel them (should you wish to, a teaspoon works well). If you do peel them, drop them into acidulated water until you’re ready to use them because the flesh discolours quickly. Keep an eye on them while cooking as they can turn to mush quite quickly.

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