May 14 2011

Pineapple, Cantaloupe, Apples, Mangoes, Blackberries, Tomatoes,

Onions, Corn, Cucumbers, Artichokes, Green Bell Peppers, Lettuce

How to Cook and Eat an Artichoke

Posted by Elise on Apr 16, 2007
Filed under How To, Learning to Cook, Produce, Vegetable

I can imagine, that if you didn't grow up eating artichokes and if you were encountering them for the first time, they might seem a little intimidating. How one cooks and eats an artichoke is not obvious from its appearance. If you've always wondered how to cook and eat the darn things, here are the steps:

How to Cook and Eat an Artichoke

Prep time: 5 minutes

Cook time: 35 minutes

Method

How to Cook an Artichoke

1. If the artichokes have little thorns on the end of the leaves, take a kitchen scissors and cut of the thorned tips of all of the leaves. This step is mostly for aesthetics as the thorns soften with cooking and pose no threat to the person eating the artichoke.

2. Slice about 3/4 inch to an inch off the tip of the artichoke.
3. Pull off any smaller leaves towards the base and on the stem.
4. Cut excess stem, leaving up to an inch on the artichoke. The stems tend to be more bitter than the rest of the artichoke, but some people like to eat them. Alternatively you can cut off the stems and peel the outside layers which is more fibrous and bitter and cook the stems along with the artichokes.
5. Rinse the artichokes in running cold water.

6. In a large pot, put a couple inches of water, a clove of garlic, a slice of lemon, and a bay leaf (this adds wonderful flavor to the artichokes). Insert a steaming basket. Add the artichokes. Cover. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer. Cook for 25 to 45 minutes or until the outer leaves can easily be pulled off. Note: artichokes can also be cooked in a pressure cooker (about 15-20 minutes cooking time). Cooking time depends on how large the artichoke is, the larger, the longer it takes to cook.

How to Eat an Artichoke

Artichokes may be eaten cold or hot, but I think they are much better hot. They are served with a dip, either melted butter or mayonaise. My favorite dip is mayo with a little bit of balsamic vinegar mixed in.
1. Pull off outer petals, one at a time.

2. Dip white fleshy end in melted butter or sauce. Tightly grip the other end of the petal. Place in mouth, dip side down, and pull through teeth to remove soft, pulpy, delicious portion of the petal. Discard remaining petal.

Continue until all of the petals are removed.

3. With a knife or spoon, scrape out and discard the inedible fuzzy part (called the "choke") covering the artichoke heart. The remaining bottom of the artichoke is the heart. Cut into pieces and dip into sauce to eat.


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Corn on the Cob

Flavored Butter Variations

Barbecue Butter: Substitute 2 Tbsp. KRAFT Original Barbecue Sauce for the cheese and parsley. Caesar Butter: Substitute 2 Tbsp. KRAFT Classic Caesar Dressing for the cheese and parsley. Tomato and Herb Butter: Substitute 2 Tbsp. KRAFT Sun Dried Tomato Vinaigrette Dressing for the cheese and parsley. Tuscan Herb Butter: Substitute 2 Tbsp. KRAFT Tuscan House Italian Dressing and Marinade for the cheese and parsley.

Grilled:
use: corn
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/grilled-corn-on-cob-10000001218736/


Garlic sauteed Artichokes
use:Artichokes
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/garlic-sauteed-artichokes/Detail.aspx


Onions

Garlic Steak and Onions

use:onion
use from past weeks: Broccoli,
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/garlic-steak-onions-107312.aspx



Penne Pasta salad
use: cucumbers, green bell peppers, tomatoes
http://www.livestrong.com/recipes/penne-pasta-salad-cucumbers-peppers-olives/

Texas Caviar
use: tomato, green peppers, onion, corn
http://www.tasteofhome.com/Recipes/Texas-Caviar



this was my version it had corn, onions, tomatoes,peppers
and italian salad dressing



* I like to use what ever is on hand I leave out and add different items.  if I have it frozen I add it frozen as it thaws it cools down the caviar.  really nice to eat when you are in a snack mood



Pineapple shrimp
use:pineapple
http://www.chow.com/recipes/24321-pineapple-glazed-shrimp-skewers




Apple Salad
use: Apples, Pineapples,
http://allrecipes.com/Recipe/apple-salad-ii/Detail.aspx




Mango Chicken
use:mangoes
http://homecooking.about.com/od/chickenrecipes/r/blpoul44.htm






Blackberry limeade
use: blackberries
http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/blackberry-limeade-10000001622486/




Cantaloupe
use: cantaloupe
I cut up my melon and put it in a large bowl.  I pull it out at snack time, Meal time and even put them in Ziploc bags to take while running errands.  It  is a healthy way to snack and it never goes to waste.




I am planning on making dried fruit.  I will let you know how that goes next week. 
Let me know what you did with your basket this week. I love new recipes