5 delicious ways to cook artichokes

Artichokes are the floral head of a variety of thistle that is highly valued because They have an intense and delicate flavor. They are rich in fiber, vitamin C, folic acid, magnesium, manganese and phosphorus.

Have you ever noticed that after eating artichokes everything tastes sweet? It even seems that the water contains sugar! This is due to its cynarin content, a compound that temporarily inhibits our perception of sweet flavors.

When we eat something else or drink water, we remove the cynarin from our taste buds and everything seems much sweeter than it actually is.

How to choose and clean artichokes

When you go to buy artichokes, the trick is to choose the ones that you see more tight and densewhich are well closed, green and without black spots.

At home we have to prepare them to taste them much better. First the toughest and driest outer leaves are removed and the ends if they are very hard. with a teaspoon you can remove the lint inside the shower head.

We can leave each artichoke already prepared in a bowl with plenty of cold water and lemon juice or vinegar to retard oxidation.

How to cook artichokes: easy recipes

Now that we have them ready, how do we cook the artichokes? If we want a crunchy effect, it will be best to choose the oven or the pan. Or we can choose to steam or boil them, which are much more tender.

steamed artichokes

To steam the artichokes, place them, already clean, in the steamer. Cover and let cook for approximately 25 minutes. you can add aromatic herbs to give them another flavorsuch as some mint leaves, a sprig of rosemary or thyme.

Baked artichoke

you can put them a pinch of oil and add the herbs of your choice, along with a pinch of salt. Make them at 200 ºC and take them out when they are tender and golden (just over half an hour).

Boiled artichokes

Submerge them in the water when it is already boiling, it takes about 15 minutes in being tender Just like when we steam them, you can add aromatic herbs that give them a special touch.

grilled artichokes

artichokes they can absorb a lot of oil if we make them fried, so it is better to make them with a little oil, in a non-stick pan, over medium-low heat and covered. It is a very simple preparation, you just have to turn them every 5-6 minutes.

Use the artichokes in other preparations

Can add the already cleaned artichokes directly to our stews, paellas and other rice dishes, soups, stews, etc. Always that the pieces are not very big they will be done in the same cooking time as, for example, a carrot.

Surely you can think of many different ideas of dishes that you can make with artichokes and you do not know where to start. I tell you one of my favorite recipesI hope you enjoy it as much as I do!

Roasted artichokes with cardamom and lemon recipe

Ingredients

1.5 kg artichokes 3 tablespoons olive oil 1 lemon 1/2 teaspoon salt 4 green cardamoms, crushed or powdered 1 sprig of rosemary 2 bay leaves

Preparation

Preheat the oven to 200ºC. Prepare the artichokes as we have already mentioned, removing the outer leaves and the fluff, if any, and cut them in half. Put them on a baking tray and spray them with the oil. Sprinkle with the salt and add the rest of the herbs and spices. Cut the lemon into quarters and sprinkle the artichokes a little with their juice to prevent them from browning. Place the lemon quarters on the baking tray as well. Bake them in the oven at 200ºC for 30 minutes or until you see that they are golden.

You can serve this dish hot as accompaniment or garnish.