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Cooked artichokes on a cutting board
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5 from 3 votes

Artichokes Recipe

Follow this easy method for cooking artichokes to perfections. Dip them in lemon aioli for a delicious appetizer or side dish.
Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time35 minutes
0 minutes
Total Time40 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine: French, Italian
Keyword: Steamed artichokes
Servings: 6
Calories: 137kcal
Author: Erica Walker
Cost: 2

Ingredients

  • 3 globe artichokes
  • 2 lemons sliced into halves
  • water for steaming
  • salt to taste

Artichoke Sauce for Dipping (Lemon Aioli)

  • ½ cup mayonnaise
  • 1 clove garlic minced
  • ½ lemon juiced
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Clean the artichoke and trim the stem and any excess petals from the stem.
    Using a serrated knife, cut off the top part of the artichoke where all the petals are bunched into a point. Slice a lemon in half and rub the lemon over the part where you just cut. This will help prevent browning while you are prepping the other artichokes.
    An artichoke with the top cut off
  • Next, trim all the sharp points from all the petals using scissors or kitchen shears. Repeat with all artichokes.
    Artichoke petals being cut with scissors
  • Place the artichokes in a large pot with about one inch of water. You can place artichokes in a steamer basket but it's not necessary. Add salt to taste.
    Slice the remaining lemon and squeeze over the top (reserving 1/2 of a lemon for the artichoke dipping sauce). Place the lemon rinds directly in the pot with the artichokes.
    Three uncooked artichokes in a pot with lemons
  • Bring water to a boil, then cover and reduce heat to a simmer. Simmer for 30-40 minutes or until a petal near the stem can be easily removed by simply pulling on it with your fingers.
    Remove artichokes and place on a cutting board. Using a serrated knife, cut the artichokes in half from the stem to the top.
    A cooked artichoke cut in half
  • Remove the thistle from the artichoke halves with by placing the tip of a spoon at the bottom of the thistle and scooping under it. The thistle should come out easily and in one big piece. Discard the thistle (it is completely inedible).
    The thistle of an artichoke that has been removed with a spoon
  • Enjoy your artichoke petals with lemon aioli or melted butter. Cut up artichoke hearts and eat plain or serve with pasta, salad, or in your favorite artichoke dip.
    An artichoke heart on a fork that is sitting on a cutting board with cooked artichokes

Artichoke Sauce for Dipping (Lemon Aioli)

  • Combine all ingredients in a small bowl and serve with artichoke petals.
    An artichoke petal dipped in an aioli sauce

Nutrition

Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 8g | Monounsaturated Fat: 3g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 119mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 20IU | Vitamin C: 19mg | Calcium: 11mg | Iron: 1mg