Artichokes are one of the oldest foods known to people. They are extremely low in calories, packed with nutrients and absolutely delicious — truly a superfood. Look for artichokes where the leaves are nice and tight and there are minimal or no brown spots. We go through phases where we eat artichokes like mad. They are so easy to make and just so good for you! If you cut one in half, it is the perfect serving size for two people.
- One artichoke
- Extra virgin olive oil
- Ground black pepper
- Kosher salt
- 2 cloves minced garlic
- Parmesan cheese
Start by trimming off a little bit of the stem (as it is probably dry) and then cutting the artichoke fully in half. Use a smaller knife to carve out the fuzzy part in the center. Snip the pointy tips of the leaves if you like. If you are in a rush, then you can skip this step. Rinse the artichoke halves fully, then place them in a bowl and cover them with a lid. Or, if you have a microwave steamer, then use that. I have a microwave steamer from The Pampered Chef that is wonderful — I use it all the time to steam vegetables in the microwave.
Steam the artichoke halves in the microwave for approximately 3 minutes. Remove them from the microwave and place them center up on a tin foil lined cookie sheet. Drizzle olive oil over the artichokes — about 1 to 2 tbsp. per half. Season with salt, pepper and garlic. I usually press my garlic in the garlic press. Top them off with about 1 to 2 tbsp. each of parmesan. If you are in a rush, you can substitute garlic powder for the fresh garlic.
Place them under the broiler on the low broil setting. Keep an eye on them. You want the artichokes to get browned but not char.
Steamed and seasoned artichokes that are ready to broil.
You can eat all the lower parts of the leaves as well as the artichoke heart and the center of the stem. No dipping sauce is needed when you prepare them this way. They are completely delicious!
Chicken kabobs (off the kabob and ready to eat), a salad and a grilled artichoke.
Wish I could be there for dinner!
Hi Anjanette,
This really sounds yummy! I am going to try it as soon as I have some time. I love your new web page and pizza recipe also.
You should write a recipe book some day.
We have not stopped for two weeks. I am really getting tired.
Talk to you later.
Love,
Vivian
I tried the artichoke and it was delicious this way.
Love, Mom
How much water do you add when you steam them?
Great question! I wash the artichokes thoroughly and don’t dry them, then just place them in the microwave steamer. The water that is on them from washing is all that is needed with my particular microwave steamer. If you are steaming them in a pot, then there is a metal steamer tray that sets inside of a pot, and I place enough water in the pot to cover the bottom and not evaporate when steaming, but not so much that the water is touching the artichokes themselves. (So about 1/2 inch of water in the bottom of the pot.)