Steamed Whole Artichokes By Tyler Florence Food

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.

ARTICHOKES WITH SAUSAGE AND TOMATO

Steps:

• First thing to do is steam the artichokes in a flavorful broth. Put the parsley, garlic, bay leaves, wine, and 1 of the halved lemons in a wide pot, add 2 quarts of water, and bring to a simmer. Season the broth with salt and pepper. In the meantime prepare the artichokes.
• Wash the artichokes under cold water. Using a paring knife, trim the bottom end of the stem and shave the stem down to expose the tender, inner part of the artichoke. Snap or cut off the outer petals until you reach the pale green, soft leaves in the center. Cut 1-inch off the top of the artichoke. Repeat with the remaining artichokes.
• Place the artichokes in the steaming liquid. Cover and simmer on medium-low for about 20 minutes, or until there is no resistance when a knife is inserted into the base. Remove the artichokes from the poaching liquid with tongs. Using a spoon, carefully scoop out the hairy choke from the center and discard. Try and keep the artichoke intact as best you can, it looks great for presentation.
• Place a large deep skillet over medium heat and coat with 2 tablespoons of the oil. When the oil is hot, add the sausage and cook for 5 minutes to render out the fat and brown the sausage slightly; they should not be fully cooked through. Take the sausage out of the pan and slice it up. Cut the tomatoes in half and then squeeze them into a bowl to hand crush; drizzle with a couple of tablespoons of oil and a pinch of salt. Toss the sausage slices back into the pan and pour in the tomatoes, along with any juice that has accumulated in the bowl. Cook for 3 minutes until the tomatoes start to break down and soften. Now it's time for the artichokes to go in there. Nestle these little beauties into the sausage and tomato mixture; season with salt and pepper. Add the butter and let it melt, give a squeeze of lemon juice to brighten the flavor, and serve.

STEAMED WHOLE ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Put the parsley, garlic, bay leaves, 3 lemon halves, the wine, olive oil and chicken broth in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, prepare the artichokes: Wash the artichokes under cold water. Using a chef's knife, cut off the stems close to the base. Pull off the lower small tough leaves. Cut off the top inch of the artichoke and rub with the remaining lemon half to preserve the green color. (Alternatively, you may put the artichokes in acidulated water.) If you wish, trim the thorny tips of the leaves with kitchen shears.
• Place the artichokes in the steaming liquid, bottom up. Cover and simmer until a knife inserted into the base meets no resistance, about 30 minutes.
• Serve the steamed artichokes hot or cold with lemon wedges. To eat, pull off a leaf and dip in the melted butter; scrape the meat off the tender end with your front teeth. When you reach the center cone of prickly purple leaves, discard it (this is the choke that protects the heart). Now use a spoon to scrape away the thistle fuzz covering the heart, the meatiest part of the artichoke. Cut the heart into pieces and eat.

GARLIC MASHED POTATOES

Steps:

• In a large sauce pan, add potatoes, salt, garlic and cold water to cover.
• Bring to a boil over high heat.
• Lower the heat to a simmer and cook until tender.
• Approximately 15-20 minute.
• Drain the potatoes and garlic leaving just enough water to cover the bottom of a large bowl.
• Put the potatoes and garlic through a ricer.
• Add the butter and stir until the butter is melted.
• Heat the milk in the microwave, in a glass measuring cup until hot, not boiling.
• Stir into the potatoes, garlic, water, and butter in the large bowl.
• You can use a hand mixer if you like.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Serve immediately.

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!

STEAMED WHOLE ARTICHOKES

Steps:

• Put the olive oil and water in a large pot and bring to simmer. Meanwhile, prepare artichokes.
• Cut off the stems close to the base. Pull off the tough, lower petals. Cut off the top inch of the artichoke. Trim off the thorny tips of outer petals with kitchen shears.
• Place artichokes in simmering pot, bottoms up. Cover and simmer 30 minutes. Artichokes are done when a knife inserted in the base meets no resistance.
• To eat, pull off leaves, squeeze with a little lemon (if desired) and dip in melted butter. Scrape off the tender part of the leaf with your front teeth. When you reach the center, remove the prickly purple leaves and the fluffy thistle layer that covers the disc-shaped and delicious artichoke heart.
• For smaller portions, cut the steamed artichokes in half and remove the prickles and fluff before serving.

STEAMED WHOLE ARTICHOKES BY TYLER FLORENCE

Steps:

• Put the parsley, garlic, bay leaves, 3 lemon halves, the wine, olive oil and chicken broth in a large pot and bring to a simmer. Season with salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, prepare the artichokes: Wash the artichokes under cold water. Using a chef's knife, cut off the stems close to the base. Pull off the lower small tough leaves. Cut off the top inch of the artichoke and rub with the remaining lemon half to preserve the green color. If you wish, trim the thorny tips of the leaves with kitchen shears.
• Place the artichokes in the steaming liquid, bottom up. Cover and simmer until a knife inserted in the base meets no resistance, about 30 minutes.
• Serve the steamed artichokes hot or cold with lemon wedges. To eat, pull off a leaf and dip in melted butter; scrape the meat off the tender end with your front teeth. When you reach the center cone of prickly purple leaves, discard it (this is the choke that protects the heart).
• Now use a spoon to scrape away the thistle fuzz covering the heart, the meatiest part of the artichoke. Cut the heart into pieces and eat.