Welcome to a delightful culinary journey with our steamed artichokes, a dish that tantalizes the taste buds with its delicate flavor and vibrant color. Originating in the Mediterranean, artichokes have long been prized for their unique taste and health benefits. This easy-to-follow recipe presents two delectable variations: a classic steamed artichoke with melted butter and a zesty tarragon butter sauce.
1. **Classic Steamed Artichokes with Melted Butter**: This traditional method showcases the artichoke's natural flavor. Simply steam the artichokes until tender, then serve with melted butter for dipping.
2. **Easy Steamed Artichokes with Tarragon Butter**: Elevate your artichoke experience with this flavorful sauce. Combine melted butter with minced shallots, garlic, and fresh tarragon, creating a vibrant and aromatic dipping sauce that complements the artichoke's delicate taste.
Whether you prefer the simplicity of melted butter or the herbaceous notes of tarragon, both recipes promise a memorable dining experience. So gather your ingredients, prepare your steamer, and embark on this culinary adventure to savor the goodness of steamed artichokes like never before.
STEAMED ARTICHOKES WITH LEMON BUTTER
Large, plump artichokes are generally better for steaming than smaller ones. They may take longer to soften, but you'll end up with plenty of meaty petals to pull off and dip into the lemon butter. This recipe gives instructions for steaming the artichokes in a traditional pot, but a pressure cooker (either electric or stovetop) is a faster option if you have one. See the Note below for instructions.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories vegetables, appetizer, side dish
Time 2h
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Pull off any brown or very tough outer leaves from one artichoke. Use a sharp knife to cut off the top 1 inch of artichoke, then rub with the cut side of the lemon. Use kitchen shears or scissors to cut the pointy tops off the remaining outer layer of leaves. Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to peel the stem down to its tender pale-colored core; immediately rub the stem with a lemon half. Use your fingers to separate the center leaves to expose the fuzzy pale choke sitting on top of the heart. Use a grapefruit spoon (or other spoon) to scoop out the choke, and rub a little lemon juice over the exposed flesh. Repeat with the remaining artichokes.
- Fill a medium pot with 2 inches of water, place a steamer basket inside, and bring water to a simmer. Place the artichokes bottoms down on the rack, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer over low heat until you can easily pull off an artichoke leaf, 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the steamer basket and transfer to a serving platter.
- Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic and salt. Slowly whisk in butter. To serve, have everyone pull off the leaves and dunk the meaty bottoms into the lemon butter, swirling to mix butter with each dip (the butter will separate as it sits).
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 147, UnsaturatedFat 3 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Sodium 115 milligrams, Sugar 1 gram, TransFat 0 grams
SIMPLE STEAMED ARTICHOKES
These steamed artichokes are delicious and light, perfect for an appetizer. Dip the leaves in melted butter or mayonnaise.
Provided by Kelly
Categories Side Dish Vegetables
Time 30m
Yield 2
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Cut stem from artichokes and discard, making sure the bottom of each artichoke is flat. Cut top 1 inch (or so) of the artichoke and discard. Snip the thorny ends from each artichoke leaf with a pair of kitchen scissors.
- Fill the bottom of a pot with a couple of inches of water, adding garlic, lemon juice, and bay leaf to the water. Place a steamer basket in the pot, making sure that the water does not flow over the bottom of the steamer basket.
- Place the artichokes in the basket, resting on the flattened bottoms.
- Bring water to a boil, cover the pot, and cook until the leaves can be easily pulled from the artichoke, 20 to 30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 64.5 calories, Carbohydrate 14.7 g, Fat 0.2 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 4.3 g, Sodium 120.7 mg, Sugar 1.5 g
STEAMED WHOLE ARTICHOKES
Provided by Tyler Florence
Categories side-dish
Time 55m
Yield 2 to 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- 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.
STEAMED ARTICHOKES WITH TARRAGON BUTTER
Steaming is the classic way to cook globe artichokes. Their leaves become very tender and perfect for dipping one by one into melted butter (this one is flavored with fresh tarragon). The artichokes would also be delicious with Hollandaise Sauce (page 96), or crème fraîche and caviar.
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Prepare artichokes Using a serrated knife, cut off top quarter of each artichoke. Use kitchen shears to trim sharp tips of artichoke leaves. Remove any small leaves from bottoms of artichokes and trim stems so artichokes can stand upright.
- Prepare steamer Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of water and add a sprig of tarragon and a pinch of salt. Set steamer basket in pot (make sure water doesn't seep through holes). Bring to a boil, then reduce to a rapid simmer.
- Steam artichokes Stand artichokes upright in steamer and season with salt. Top each with a lemon slice. Cover pot and steam until bottoms of artichokes are very tender when pierced to the center with the tip of a paring knife, 35 to 50 minutes. (Add more hot water if necessary to maintain level during cooking.)
- Meanwhile, make butter Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then stir in chopped tarragon and season with salt.
- Serve Place an artichoke on each plate with some lemon wedges and serve warm tarragon butter on the side for dipping.
Tips:
- Choose the right artichokes: Look for artichokes that are heavy for their size, with tightly closed leaves and no blemishes.
- Prepare the artichokes properly: Cut off the stem and about 1 inch of the top of the artichoke. Using kitchen shears, trim the sharp points off the leaves.
- Steam the artichokes until tender: Place the artichokes in a steamer basket over a pot of boiling water. Cover and steam for 20-25 minutes, or until the leaves can be easily pulled off.
- Make the tarragon butter: While the artichokes are steaming, melt the butter in a small saucepan. Add the tarragon, lemon juice, salt, and pepper. Stir to combine.
- Serve the artichokes with the tarragon butter: Place the artichokes on a serving platter and spoon the tarragon butter over them. Serve immediately.
Conclusion:
Steamed artichokes are a delicious and healthy appetizer or side dish. They are easy to make and can be enjoyed with a variety of dipping sauces. The tarragon butter sauce in this recipe is a perfect complement to the artichokes, adding a bright and herbaceous flavor.
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