Yesterday, I posted a great recipe for FRESH STEAMED ARTICHOKES. They are such a staple in an Italian/American family that it never really occurred to me that some people honestly had NO IDEA, how to eat them. So... in order to fix that, and you can enjoy these different and complex vegetables as well, here is a step by step, "HOW TO" I hope you find it informative enough, to cook artichokes yourself and give them a first hand try. Embrace your culinary experiences and be adventurous! You truly won't be disappointed!- 1. Don't panic. This is easy and fun. It's one of the few times you can still eat with your fingers.
- 2. Slightly pull out from the "choke", one leaf.
- 3. With the bottom of your teeth you are going to scrape, the inside of the leaf upwards until you get to the tip. Stat from slimmer end to the fattest end. Then discard.
- 4. Repeat those 3 steps, until most of the leaves are gone, and those left, in the deep middle, have become hard to handle and translucent, as seen below.
Now... you have to admit, although it is a strange way of eating a food. It was REALLY GOOD!
And... the best is yet to come!
- 5. Grasping the top of the translucent leaves, pull them gently from the base of the Artichoke.
- 6. With a knife or fork, gently scrape away anything left, that may resemble roots, or "spaghetti" fibers in the center.
- 7. Now you have the picture below. That... is what is TRULY KNOWN AS THE HEART OF THE ARTICHOKE. And... it is why we go through all of the work of eating those delicious leaves. The anticipation mounts, the closer you get to the end, or... the HEART.
8. The round, smooth object, amongst all the eaten leaves above, is the ultimate prize. This is the most tender vegetable you will ever eat.
9. Trim edges if needed. Slice in quarters, if large.
10. Add a little salt and pepper if wanted, and eat.
Experience the reason why, this vegetable really exists!
Artichoke hearts will change in size, depending on the size of the artichoke being cooked. Small artichokes, are very good too and can many times, be bought in your local grocery store with 8 to a package. That is enough for 2-3 people. But the point is, Artichokes are fun to cook, fun to eat, and delicious to taste.
I hope you will expand your taste horizons with this FRESH STEAMED ARTICHOKES recipe!
Not clear on anything, or still have a question? Just leave me a comment below,
I will answer it as soon as humanly possible!
So... be adventurous, eat an Artichoke today!!!
© 2014 Jayne's Crazy Kitchen
