Artichokes!!

I LOVE artichokes!!

I remember when I was little that my parents and my brother would eat them but me and my sisters wouldn't touch them! Now I can't get enough of them!! They are delicious, healthy, and fun to eat!!  In fact, all of the pizzas that I ate in Italy had artichokes on them...to DIE for!!!

We bought some artichokes at Costco the other day and I went on to Food Network to get tips on the best ways to cook them and I found this recipe!

Steamed Whole Artichokes

Ingredients

• 4 sprigs parsley
• 4 garlic cloves
• 2 bay leaves
• 2 lemons, cut in half
• 1/4 cup white wine
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 quart chicken broth or water
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 whole artichokes

Directions

Put the parsley, garlic, bay leaves, lemons, wine, oil and broth in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Season the liquid with salt and pepper. In the meantime prepare the artichokes.

Wash artichokes under cold water. Using a heavy stainless steel knife, cut off the stems close to the base. Pull off the lower petals that are small and tough. Cut off the top inch of the artichoke and rub with half a lemon to preserve the green color. Alternatively, you may put the artichokes in acidulated water. If you wish, trim the thorny tips of the petals with kitchen shears.

Place the artichokes in the steaming liquid, bottom up. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes. The artichokes are done when a knife is inserted into the base and there is no resistance.

To eat, pull off a leaf and scrape the meat off the tender end with your front teeth. Dip the ends of the leaves in lemon juice and melted butter if desired. When you reach the center cone of purple prickly leaves, remove it. This is the choke that protects the heart. Now, scrape away the thistle fuzz covering the artichoke heart. The heart is the meatiest part of the artichoke. Steamed artichokes may be served hot or cold.

They were SO yummy!!! It was so surprising how a little bit of flavor in the water can change it!! Yum yum!! Maybe I'll make more tonight! We still have 2!! Yay!!!