Easy Steamed Artichokes With Tarragon Butter Food

STEAMED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Set a steamer basket over rapidly simmering water with 1/2 lemon, a few parsley stems and 2 smashed garlic cloves in the water. Trim 4 large artichokes, removing the stems. Stand upright in the basket. Cover and steam over medium heat, adding more water as needed, until tender, about 45 minutes. Serve with melted butter for dipping.

SIMPLE STEAMED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Cut stem from artichokes and discard, making sure the bottom of each artichoke is flat. Cut top 1 inch (or so) of the artichoke and discard. Snip the thorny ends from each artichoke leaf with a pair of kitchen scissors.
• Fill the bottom of a pot with a couple of inches of water, adding garlic, lemon juice, and bay leaf to the water. Place a steamer basket in the pot, making sure that the water does not flow over the bottom of the steamer basket.
• Place the artichokes in the basket, resting on the flattened bottoms.
• Bring water to a boil, cover the pot, and cook until the leaves can be easily pulled from the artichoke, 20 to 30 minutes.

STEAMED ARTICHOKES WITH LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Pull off any brown or very tough outer leaves from one artichoke. Use a sharp knife to cut off the top 1 inch of artichoke, then rub with the cut side of the lemon. Use kitchen shears or scissors to cut the pointy tops off the remaining outer layer of leaves. Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to peel the stem down to its tender pale-colored core; immediately rub the stem with a lemon half. Use your fingers to separate the center leaves to expose the fuzzy pale choke sitting on top of the heart. Use a grapefruit spoon (or other spoon) to scoop out the choke, and rub a little lemon juice over the exposed flesh. Repeat with the remaining artichokes.
• Fill a medium pot with 2 inches of water, place a steamer basket inside, and bring water to a simmer. Place the artichokes bottoms down on the rack, cover with a tight-fitting lid, and simmer over low heat until you can easily pull off an artichoke leaf, 45 minutes to 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the steamer basket and transfer to a serving platter.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, garlic and salt. Slowly whisk in butter. To serve, have everyone pull off the leaves and dunk the meaty bottoms into the lemon butter, swirling to mix butter with each dip (the butter will separate as it sits).

EASY STEAMED ARTICHOKES WITH TARRAGON BUTTER

Steps:

• Make a bowl of acidulated water: Fill a large bowl with cold water. Squeeze the juice of 2 lemons into bowl along with the lemon halves; set aside.
• Using a serrated knife, cut off 1/2 inch from the top of an artichoke. Remove any small leaves from the bottom and trim stem so artichoke can stand upright. Use kitchen shears to trim sharp tips of artichoke leaves. Transfer to acidulated water, and repeat with remaining artichokes.
• Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of water and add tarragon and a pinch of salt. Set steamer basket in pot, making sure water doesn't seep through holes. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a rapid simmer.
• Place artichokes stem side up in steamer and season with salt. Cover pot and steam until bottoms of artichokes are very tender when pierced to the center with the tip of a paring knife, about 40 minutes. (Add more hot water if necessary to maintain level during cooking.)
• To make the tarragon butter: Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then stir in chopped tarragon and lemon juice, and season with salt.
• Place an artichoke on each plate, remove the center leaves and with a spoon gently scrape down to the heart. Serve with lemon wedges and warm tarragon butter on the side for dipping.

STEAMED ARTICHOKES WITH TARRAGON BUTTER

Steps:

• Prepare artichokes Using a serrated knife, cut off top quarter of each artichoke. Use kitchen shears to trim sharp tips of artichoke leaves. Remove any small leaves from bottoms of artichokes and trim stems so artichokes can stand upright.
• Prepare steamer Fill a large pot with about 2 inches of water and add a sprig of tarragon and a pinch of salt. Set steamer basket in pot (make sure water doesn't seep through holes). Bring to a boil, then reduce to a rapid simmer.
• Steam artichokes Stand artichokes upright in steamer and season with salt. Top each with a lemon slice. Cover pot and steam until bottoms of artichokes are very tender when pierced to the center with the tip of a paring knife, 35 to 50 minutes. (Add more hot water if necessary to maintain level during cooking.)
• Meanwhile, make butter Melt butter in a small saucepan over low heat, then stir in chopped tarragon and season with salt.
• Serve Place an artichoke on each plate with some lemon wedges and serve warm tarragon butter on the side for dipping.

STEAMED ARTICHOKES WITH GARLIC BUTTER

Steps:

• Trim stems from 4 large artichokes (about 2 1/2 pounds), leaving about 1/2" long. Snap off any browned leaves, then remove top fourth of artichokes; discard. If you like, use kitchen scissors to snip off any thorns.
• Bring 2" of water to a simmer in a large pot. Fit with a steamer basket and place artichokes inside; season with salt and pepper. Cover and steam until leaves pull out easily and hearts are tender (a paring knife will meet with no resistance), 70-80 minutes. Remove from heat; squeeze 1 halved lemon over.
• Mix 1/2 cup (1 stick) melted unsalted butter and 1 finely grated garlic clove in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper. Serve with artichokes.

STEAMED ARTICHOKES WITH GARLIC LEMON BUTTER

Steps:

• Cut stems and top 1 1/2 inches from artichokes.
• Cut away first outside row of artichoke leaves.
• Using scissors, cut off pointed tips of leaves.
• Place Artichokes in steamer.
• Steam artichokes until knife pierces base easily, adding more water if necessary, about 25 minutes.
• Heat oil in heavy medium saucepan over medium heat.
• Add garlic and thyme; cook 1 minute.
• Add lemon juice and butter.
• whisk until butter melts.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve artichokes warm with seasoned butter.
• Dip leaves and pull off flesh with teeth and dunk heart when you reach it.

STEAMED ARTICHOKES WITH TARRAGON MAYONNAISE

Steps:

• Squeeze juice of 1 lemon into a large bowl of cold water.
• Trim stem of 1 artichoke flush with bottom. Snap off outer leaves. Using kitchen shears, cut off tips of remaining leaves. Place in lemon water. Repeat.
• Drain artichokes, and place in a pot in a single snug layer (in batches if necessary). Add 1/4 cup water. Bring to a simmer, cover, and steam until tender, about 35 minutes. Remove from pot. Let cool. Cover, and refrigerate for up to 2 hours.
• Meanwhile, zest and juice remaining lemon. Whisk zest, 2 tablespoons juice, the mayonnaise, tarragon, hot sauce, salt, and pepper. Serve alongside artichokes.