Grilled Artichokes

I love artichokes of any form but have always steered clear when it comes to cooking them at home or should I say prepping them at home.  The first time I prepared an artichoke was last year – roasted artichoke bottoms with shrimp and herbed mayonnaise.  I was happy with the results but like anything done in the first attempt, I wasn’t sure I would ever be confident to refine the prepping skills of this perennial thistle.  Artichokes are very high in fiber, potassium, calcium, iron, phosphorus and other trace elements. Artichokes can slightly lower the blood sugar, help poor liver function, improve the appetite and digestion, is a diuretic and may help some migraine conditions.

Serves 2
adapted from All Recipes

2 large artichokes
2 lemons, halved
3/4 cup olive oil
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper

Peel the outer leaves, cut the top off and immediately rub with the lemon (this stops it from discoloring).  Cut the stem off (leave about 1/2 an inch) and rub the end with lemon.  Trim off any dark green bits and peel back any leaves.  Slice in half and rub both sides with lemon and cut that in half  (rub with lemon). Remove choke (the hairy bits) with either a paring knife or teaspoon.

Note:  If this is your first time, watch this video first before to get a better idea.

Bring a pot of water to a boil. Cut one lemon in half and toss in the pot along with the artichokes and cook for about 15 minutes or until fork tender. Drain. Squeeze some lemon juice into a bowl and stir in the olive oil, garlic, and season with salt and pepper. Heat an outdoor grill on medium-high heat. Brush the artichokes with a coating of the garlic dip, and place them on the preheated grill. Grill the artichokes for 5 to 10 minutes, basting with dip and turning frequently. Serve immediately.


The Culinary Chase’s Note: Oh my gosh, these were so good!  This is my third attempt to prepare in-house and I am liking the progress…propelling me to discover more artichoke recipes. Check out Becks and Posh tutorial on how to trim an artichoke.  Cheers!

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