My mom (from CA) and Dad ate artichokes often when I was growing up. I think my mom steamed them. She used to dip them in mayo. My dh's family ate them but dipped them into butter.

I bought two today for dh and I. How would you cook them and what would you dip them in?

Should I save the heart for other recipes? TIA

By Eve on Saturday, January 7, 2006 - 08:15 pm:

I just got done eating one! LOL I put them in my steamer. I trim with scissors all of the rough points and then cut the stem with a knife. Then, to tell if it's done, I poke a fork or knife into the bottom (The heart) to see if it's tender. I dip mine into mayo with fresh lemon juice and a little lemon pepper seasoning. Don't forget to scrape off the heart and eat that too! It's the best part! My Grandmother always mixed her mayo with curry. She steamed hers in the microwave too! I've done it, but I can't remember how long I did it for! HTH Enjoy! They are my favorite!!!

By Annie2 on Saturday, January 7, 2006 - 08:18 pm:

Eve, how long did you steam it?

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, January 7, 2006 - 08:20 pm:

I steam mine like Eve does, and I use either Creamy Italian salad dressing, or oil & vinegar dressing to dip mine in.

By Karen~moderator on Saturday, January 7, 2006 - 08:21 pm:

BTW, it seems to take a long time to steam....seems like 30 minutes or longer.

By Ginny~moderator on Saturday, January 7, 2006 - 08:47 pm:

Yes, steam - and I have done them in the microwave also, wrapping them individually in plastic wrap meant for microwave use, or several in a deep microwave dish with a lid. My microwave cooking guide says about 8-1/2 minutes for 2, 15 minutes for 4, and they are done when an outer leaf pulls off easily. I use garlic butter - artichokes are such a wonderful excuse for garlic butter, and I think sometimes I have added wine to the garlic butter but can't remember what kind of wine.

Yes, be sure to scrape the fuzz (the "choke" part) off the heart and eat the heart.

By Missmudd on Saturday, January 7, 2006 - 09:04 pm:

I do mine in the nuker too. For 2 I would put them in for about 8 minutes and see if a leaf halfway to the middle comes out easy. I have found if you move them around about 4 minutes in they cook more even. I dip mine in mayo.

By Ginny~moderator on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 06:46 am:

You're right, Kris. My cookbook says to rotate halfway through nuking, but I have a Sharp microwave with a built-in turntable, so I never have to do the "rotate halfway through" thing, and tend to forget that is part of the cooking instructions.

By Karen~moderator on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 10:16 am:

MMMMMMMM!!! The heart is the best part! The kids and I used to *fight* over the hearts! LOL

By Annie2 on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 01:57 pm:

MMMmmm, they came out great. I steamed them for about 45 minutes. I dipped mine in mayo and dh dipped his in melted garlic butter. Thanks everyone for the tips. I feel like going out to buy more today! LOL

By Tink on Sunday, January 8, 2006 - 02:26 pm:

I used to love artichokes and haven't had them in years. I'm going to go get some for dinner tonight. I had no idea they were so easy to do in the microwave. Mmm...garlic butter!

By Andi on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 01:40 pm:

Haven't read all the other postings but here it goes.

I boil mine in a big pot of water with the following:
Lemon Pepper
Italian seaoning
One or two Lemons Cut in slices
Soy Sauce

I let it boil about 30 -45 minutes, until tender. Then I eat them plain with out any dip. I usually cook up 4 at a time and put the leftovers in a Zip Lock bag. I eat them cold right out of the fridge...my kids Love them this way and it's a healthy snack.

By Andi on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 01:48 pm:

I forgot to mention...the heart is the best part! Eat it when you are eating the rest of the artichoke.

By Kernkate on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 01:56 pm:

My Aunt always made hers like this and I love them!! And I have to agree the heart is the best part!!

STUFFED ARTICHOKES

4 artichokes
1 box stuffing mix
Grated Parmesan cheese
Butter
Lemon juice

Rinse fresh artichokes in cool water, cut off bottom stem. Steam in boiling water approximately 20 minutes. While artichokes are steaming, prepare stuffing mix. When artichokes are done, drain well and place in baking dish. Dish cooked stuffing between artichoke leaves - put remainder around artichokes in bottom of pan. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan cheese and place under broiler 1-2 minutes. Serve with melted butter and lemon juice.

By Kiki on Monday, January 9, 2006 - 06:09 pm:

I love artichokes! I always boil mine on the stove but have never heard of cooking them in the microwave. When I make them, I have to make them in batches. Gabby just loves them. She helps me make them now.

I do mine a little different. I don't use scissors to trim the leaves because for me that takes too long. I just use a knife and slice the tops off. I pull off some of the outer leaves. I cut the stems off (I peel each stem and cook them along with the artichokes). I rinse the artichokes well in cold water. I salt each artichoke and add the stuffing (breadcrumbs, parsley, garlic, and cheese) and place in a pot. I drizzle each artichoke with a little bit of olive oil. I fill the pot with salted water until the water almost reaches the top of the artichokes. I bring the pot to a boil and then turn it down low until artichokes become tender (center leaf is tender). I make sure to keep an eye on the artichokes to ensure that the water level remains the same as they cook. They come out so good!