Make (delicious) artichokes

Today's how-to recipe is from Donni of the Etsy shop Fairyfolk, full of delightful + magical felted acorns, toys, terrariums and more.

Make (delicious) artichokes

photo via Flickr

Oh how I love an artichoke... it's the combination of their earthy flavor, the peeling of their green petals and the yummyness of the dipping sauce. I feel simple and sophisticated, all at once.

Lucky me... I had an artichoke for lunch today!

This is how I cook them...

I rinse them in water to wash them and get any little lingering bugs out of them.

Cut off the stalks with a knife.

The little spikes on the ends of the petals can be a nuisance. I cut them off before cooking by using a knife to cut off the tips of the petals.

And then I use scissors to trim the spikes off the remaining petals.
Place the trimmed artichokes in a steamer, stem up.

Steam for about 30 minutes or until stalk bases are tender.
My favorite dipping sauce is balsamic vinaigrette. I mix equal parts balsamic vinegar with olive oil and a little salt to taste (yes, I love balsamic!) Whisk together until it emulsifies and... Voila!

Melted butter is another great artichoke sauce, as is lemon butter or mayonnaise.

Peel a petal, dip it into the sauce and eat the soft flesh at the base of the petal. It's delicious!!
When you come to the heart, use a spoon to gently scrape the hairs away, leaving the tender heart. What's left is pure delicacy.
I cooked 4 today. As no one else in my family eats artichokes, guess what I'm having for lunch tomorrow, the next day and the day after? Lucky me!

What's in Fairyfolk's shop? These spring golden yellow acorns are so lovely!