Our family loves artichokes. It all started with my Nana. Every Easter and Christmas Eve she would be steaming a big pot of artichokes. We would all be so excited to be sitting around the table eating them! Of course, the heart is the best part but getting to it pedal by pedal it very exciting too. My mother still makes artichokes and so do I.
I enjoy them often. I make 2 for myself - One for now and another for tomorrow (or tonight).
You need to add tons of garlic in the leaves and drizzle with lots of EVOO.
Enjoy xo
Take the artichokes and hold by the stem, hang upside down and bang about 3 times on your counter or work board. That will slightly open up the leaves. Cut the stem leaving about 1/4 inch. Pull off any lower pedals.
Take a large sauce pan and place a steamer inside. Place both artichokes inside. Now take the chopped garlic and place in the pedals. (you don't want the garlic too small so you can see them when you bite into them - so yummy).
Add about a quart of water. To cover the bottom of the steamer. Drop the lemons into the steamer next to the artichokes. Season with salt and pepper. Drizzle generously with EVOO.
Cover and set temperature to a medium (medium-high) and let steam for 30-45 minutes or until the leaves pull off easily when you test them.
Place in a large bowl or plate. To enjoy drizzle a little more EVOO over the artichoke then pull off each leaf and scrape the meat in the inside along your teeth.
When you get to the fuzzy part remove with a spoon carefully. Now you see the heart of the artichoke. This is a meaty part of the artichoke and must be eaten with ease. Scoop away from artichoke using a spoon then place on your place. Drizzle a little more EVOO then dig in and enjoy!
We never dipped in butter but I heard some people do! I just love them as is.....