Sunday, July 24, 2011

Steamed Artichokes

We love artichokes. And it's one of those things. My intent is good, but I buy a couple and never get to them. They sit and sit in the vegetable bin until it's too late to use them. What a big waste. This time I was determined not to let them go when I saw them. I tried steaming, thinking it would be easier to do than stuffing. Steaming was easy enough, and very good! So I know I can definitely stuff the next time. Or Roman Style. Got raves from Susan at Savoring Time in Kitchen and Cathy at Wives with Knives. These babies are no longer going to waste. I never should have waited so long.




Steamed Artichokes with Tarragon Mayonnaise
Source: artichokes.org and Whole Foods Market
Adapted by There's Always Thyme to Cook
Printable Recipe

Artichoke Preparation:
Wash artichokes under cold running water.

Pull off lower petals which are small or discolored.

Cut stems close to base, so they will stay put in the pot.

Cut off top quarter and tips of petals, if desired. It really isn't necessary to remove the tips. They soften with cooking and pose no threat to diners, but people like the look of a trimmed artichoke better.

Gently spread the center to get to the purplish, thorny center leaves. with a spoon, scrape out the purple, thorny fuzz!

Plunge into acidified water to preserve color. (A tablespoon of lemon juice or vinegar per quart of water. )

Optional: The trimmed artichoke stems are edible. Cut brown end about ½-inch. Peel fibrous outer layer to reach tender green of stem. Stem may be steamed whole with the artichoke. Cut into rounds or julienne for salads or pastas.

Use this same technique for making stuffed artichokes, too!

Steaming:
Pour enough water into a large pot to reach a depth of 1 to 2 inches. Cover and bring to a boil. Uncover pot and arrange trimmed artichokes, bottoms up, in the bottom in a single layer. Cover pot, reduce heat to medium and steam until tender, 20 to 40 minutes. Cooking time will depend on size of artichokes. When the leaves pull out easily and the base can be pierced with a knife, they're ready. Drain well and transfer to a large platter.

Meanwhile, make the dipping sauces.

For Tarragon Mayo, just mix some fresh tarragon with a cup of mayo, some chopped shallots, two teaspoons fresh lemon juice , and a pinch of cayenne pepper. Salt and pepper to taste. To make the lemon-butter,  whisk together melted butter,  a little lemon juice, salt and pepper, to taste; transfer to a bowl. Serve artichokes warm, with lemon-butter and tarragon mayo on the side for dipping.

For more mosaics, stop by the Little Red House for Mosaic Monday



39 comments:

  1. These looks delicious. I bet the tarragon mayo would be delicious with fish as well. My grandmother was from Italy and she would make the most delicious stuffed artichokes I had ever eaten.

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  2. I love artichokes! I've always steamed them. I've even done it in the microwave! Love the tarragon mayo! Happy Sunday.

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  3. Oh yum Carol! I don't put artichokes on our menu nearly enough. The mayo does sound wonderful. Enjoy your Sunday! We are cooler finally...only in the 80's now.

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  4. I've never had an artichoke! One day I'll have to find out what I've been missing:@)

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  5. My daughter introduced me to artichokes. They still seem a lot of work for so very little - but of course it's a very delicious little bit!

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  6. I like the idea of the tarragon mayonnaise. I have a bunch growing in the garden and now have another way of using it.

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  7. That looks so good! I'm glad you got to use them

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  8. This looks so delicious and I like tarragon mayonniase too.

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  9. Mmmm, these look delicious, I enjoy them, hubby not so much, he thinks they are too much work! LOL!!! Thanks for the tarragon mayo tip!

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  10. Yum, yum and yum!!!!! I'll be right over! :D :D

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  11. I am not so sure I like artichokes but the taragon mayo sounds great. Thanks for sharing. Maybe someday I will give them a try. Have a great week!

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  12. And, they are too expensive to waste - at least they are here. I love dipping artichokes in savory sauces like this - even a simple butter and mustard sauce is fine with me. I have to try that tarragon mayo dip - it sounds wonderful!

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  13. So glad that you've discovered how to enjoy them easily and deliciously without them going to waste. I have a friend who would love this recipe...she so loves artichokes and I am willing to make them, yet unwilling to eat them myself.

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  14. I love to eat these in restaurants..but it's something I've never cooked! I should try this recipe! Happy Monday! ♥

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  15. I enjoy eating artichokes and dipping them in garlic butter. But this recipe sounds good, too.

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  16. My mouth went into instant watering mode...love steamed artichokes!!

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  17. oh wow.. so delicious! The tarragon mayo is lovely paired with the artichoke.

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  18. Oh Carol, we do too! I love them steamed and once I fried the hearts ...much more involved but oh so good.
    Really like your mayo!

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  19. I love steamed artichokes too, Carol. I always wonder why some pare them down to almost nothing when they prepare them. I love to dip and scrape the delicious pulp from every leaf! It's messy, but sooo good! Your tarragon mayo sounds delicious!

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  20. Yum, I miss these. In Spain they are common but in Malaysia.....

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  21. OH yes delicious and that mayonaise sounds so good.

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  22. I will have to try this dressing recipe and get some artichokes again soon. It's been a while since we've had them. Thanks for the recipe.

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  23. I love artichokes and enjoyed them in Italy. Have you tried creamed artichokes ? They're lovely!!

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  24. I have a sudden craving for an artichoke now - yum.

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  25. Always wanted to try these, but still on my too do list; you are braver than I.
    Rita

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  26. Love love artichokes ! I had them with cream but never steamed. I hope to try this soon.

    Hope you have a great week ahead.

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  27. Looks good! We don't do chokes here, no one eats them. Miss Picky likes them?

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  28. @ Kathleen, Miss Picky is hit or miss :) Sometimes.

    I have to try with cream, I love them any which way so far!

    Thanks for the comments :) Have a great week!

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  29. We love artichokes...as a matter of fact I still have one in the fridge...but never steamed...will definitely try your method...Thanks for the recipe.
    Hope you have a great week Carol :-)

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  30. Oh my! I have been craving artichoke. These look fantastic.

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  31. I would so much love to try this sometime, Carol, but I've always been intimidated to try cooking fresh artichokes. Maybe I need to just do it! :)

    The tarragon mayo with it sounds really interesting. Wish I had some fresh tarragon to try it! :)

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  32. I've never had steamed artichokes~ I'll have to take the plunge. Your tarragon mayo sounds wonderful!

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  33. This is the preparation I use most of the time, Carol. Just a quick trim and a steam. Next time I'll dress up my mayo dip with some tarragon and shallots. Thank you so much for the link to my blog.

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  34. Thanks for your visit Carol. Your featured recipes are so interesting - I clicked on the zucchini spaghetti and hope to try it if ours grow this summer...there's still time!

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  35. I haven't had artichokes in years, so I've forgotten what they taste like.
    The tarragon dip sounds like it'd also be wonderful paired with the purple potato in Wordless Wed.

    Have a good weekend, my friend.

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  36. Artichokes are the best vegetable ever and the tarragon sauce looks yummy.

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  37. It's funny, I make artichokes all the time and I have never steamed them. I am a stuffer of artichokes but this looks so yummy I have to try it!! :)

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  38. My mom always made the most delicious artichokes. Since she passed, I have never been able to replicate the taste.

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