Steamed Artichokes With Almond Saffron Dip Food

EASY STEAMED ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Prepare artichokes for steaming: Snap off tough outer leaves. Using a serrated knife, cut off top 1/3 of artichoke. Snip remaining sharp or spiky tips using kitchen shears. Trim stem so artichoke stands upright. Rub cut surfaces with lemon to prevent discoloration. Repeat with remaining artichokes and lemon.
• Set a steamer basket in a large pot; add enough water so it reaches just below the basket. Squeeze lemon juice into water and add 1 tablespoon salt; bring to a boil. Place artichokes in steamer basket, stem-side up. Cover pot, and steam until heart is tender when pierced with a tip of a paring knife, and inner leaves pull out easily, 25 to 35 minutes; add more water to pot, if necessary. Serve warm or at room temperature with Easy Hollandaise or melted butter, if desired.

STEAMED ARTICHOKE CRAB DIP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, lemon, salt and pepper in a mixing bowl and stir to combine. Add chopped, cooked artichoke hearts and lump crabmeat. Stir well and season with more salt and pepper, if necessary. Pour into an oven proof dish (a large ramekin works well) and bake dip for 10 to 12 minutes until heated through and top is nice and bubbly. Serve with Croutons and garnish with parsley sprigs and Parmesan.
• Trim artichokes down to their hearts, working quickly so they don't go too brown (you can rub with lemon juice as you go if you like). Split hearts in half lengthwise and drizzle with a little olive oil and season with some salt and pepper. Place into a microwave-steamer bag and cook for 2 to 3 minutes in your microwave (time may vary depending on your microwave). When done allow to sit in the bag for 1 minute then remove and roughly chop. Set aside to cool.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Cut baguette on a slight bias and lay out on a sheet tray. Drizzle with olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Bake in the oven for 5 to 7 minutes until golden brown and crispy.

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.

STEAMED WHOLE ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Put the parsley, garlic, bay leaves, lemons, wine, oil and broth in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Season the liquid with salt and pepper. In the meantime prepare the artichokes.
• Wash artichokes under cold water. Using a heavy stainless steel knife, cut off the stems close to the base. Pull off the lower petals that are small and tough. Cut off the top inch of the artichoke and rub with half a lemon to preserve the green color. Alternatively, you may put the artichokes in acidulated water. If you wish, trim the thorny tips of the petals with kitchen shears.
• Place the artichokes in the steaming liquid, bottom up. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes. The artichokes are done when a knife is inserted into the base and there is no resistance.
• To eat, pull off a leaf and scrape the meat off the tender end with your front teeth. Dip the ends of the leaves in lemon juice and melted butter if desired. When you reach the center cone of purple prickly leaves, remove it. This is the choke that protects the heart. Now, scrape away the thistle fuzz covering the artichoke heart. The heart is the meatiest part of the artichoke. Steamed artichokes may be served hot or cold.

DELICIOUS STEAMED WHOLE ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Put the parsley, garlic, bay leaves, lemons, wine, oil and water in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Season the liquid with salt and pepper.
• In the meantime prepare the artichokes:
• Wash artichokes under cold water. Using a heavy stainless steel knife, cut off the stems close to the base. Pull off the lower petals that are small and tough. Cut off the top inch of the artichoke and rub with half a lemon to preserve the green color. Or you may put the artichokes in water that has some lemon juice in it. If you wish, trim the thorny tips of the petals with kitchen shears.
• Place the artichokes in the steaming broth, bottom up. Cover and simmer for about 30 minutes. The artichokes are done when a knife is inserted into the base and there is no resistance.
• To eat, pull off a leaf and scrape the meat off the tender end with your front teeth. Dip the ends of the leaves in lemon juice and melted butter if desired. When you reach the center cone of purple prickly leaves, remove it. This is the choke that protects the heart. Now, scrape away the thistle fuzz covering the artichoke heart. The heart is the meatiest and in my opinion, the best part of the artichoke. Steamed artichokes may be served hot or cold. Enjoy!
• You may dip the artichoke in mayonnaise that has lemon added to it, or butter and lemon juice. Yum!