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Tuesday, July 24, 2012

One Way To LOVE Thistles!

He (SHE) that will bare-foot go must not plant a garden of thistle.
French Proverb

The thistles have made their yearly appearance in the Sweetwater Gardens! And yes....I go barefoot in the garden!
Every once in a while....I put on my heaviest gloves and attack these suckers....with a vengeance!  I never completely get rid of them....but it is satisfying to rip them up by the roots!

This post is sort of about cooking....you know I don't do many cooking posts....but the weeding the thistles made me think of one of our favorite vegetables.....Artichokes!

Along the way to posting how we prepare/cook/serve and enjoy artichokes...I got distracted!
In fact....this post might be the "poster child" for a POST by a blogger with ADHD!!

It all started when I was looking for some cool pictures of artichokes to make my blog look pretty!
Artichoke Art By Sarah Graham

Artichoke Art by Sarah Graham

I would love to have artwork like this.....but it probably won't happen....gorgeous though!
But look at this botanical print from Vintage Printables....
Hmmm....Maybe I could do something with this....a print....a pillow???!

The ever popular Graphics Fairy Site had some great thistle art!
I only spent about an hour browsing there!!!

But....now on to the cooking segment of this show!!!

If you already know how to fix artichokes....you can scan through the rest of the post pretty fast!
....but I do have a great sauce recipe at the end that is worth glancing at if you hate making Hollandaise sauce as much as I do!






 A couple of years ago....the Sweetwater Son called in a panic...(not really because the Sweetwater Son is really not one to panic about anything!!)....but he was making a nice dinner and he had artichokes and wasn't sure how to proceed....

Ahh...he needed advice from his MOM!!!

A fresh artichoke can be sort of scary looking if you don't know what to do with it....







So in a nutshell here is Artichoke 101.....


Take a big strong knife and cut off the top of the artichoke about an inch down....this is to get most of those pointy spine things off.....

Then cut off the bottom stem so that it can sit flat.....do the top first cuz then you have the stem to hang on to....sounds logical but it took me probably 10 years to figure this out!







Now use your kitchen shears to cut all the pointy edges off....yup....ALL of them...










Then it is just a matter of steaming them over a pot of water....you could boil them right in the water, but steaming is less messy.


I use this Calphalon "Everything Pan"...




It is just perfect for up to 4 artichokes....


Seriously....this is the best PAN EVER!!!

It is a go to wedding gift if you need one!



Anyway....put the artichokes in the pan....cover and cook until the bottom can be easily pricked with a fork...


Wish I could tell you how long....but just like when Mr. S. asks "how long will the artichokes take?"

The answer...."when they are done!"

I guess about 20-30 minutes mostly....
but it really depends on the artichoke....
remember...
it's a thistle....I suppose you have to expect it to have an attitude!





Then put them on a plate.....with some of this amazing "Secret Sauce"....(recipe to follow)


To eat....just peel off a leaf and dip it in the sauce...
Use your teeth to scrape the soft/tender part and discard the rest.
As you move to the center of the vegetable, the leaves get softer and softer...more good stuff!

When the last leave is gone...cut the "choke" or thistly stuff off and eat the tender base....
Remember...the choke is called that for a reason....it really sticks in your throat if you get some!!!
Secret Sauce (adapted from the South Beach Diet Book)

1/2 Cup Mayonaise
1 TBSP dry mustard
3 TBSP Worschestire Sauce

Mix together.....ENJOY!

Artichokes are REALLY good for you!
Yeah..you read that right!
Only 25 calories.....
Did I tell you that the "SECRET" of the Secret Sauce is that the calories DON'T count!
Just sayin'!

Thistles.....Gotta Love 'em!  

Oh....one more thing....does anybody out there know where I can find some artichoke plates...
I have 3....sort of an odd amount!  Would love to find some more!!!

13 comments:

  1. I love that the calories don't count! New follower through the blog hop...lovely work!

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  2. I love artichokes. I love the dip made with the canned ones, too, but there is NOTHING like steamed artichokes. I haven't made them in the longest time. MyHero doesn't lie them at all. I always used drrawn butter for the dip though--with salt...YUM!!! xo Diana

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  3. My oldest daughter made us an artichoke dip yesterday for lunch and it was really good. Of course she made it with canned artichokes but bakes with the different cheeses and yum. Will have to try this recipe though. Thanks for sharing. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

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  4. Thank you for linking this post in Welcome Wednesday! My husband and I have been wanting to try artichokes and didn't know anything about them. Perfect timing. I'm following now on GFC, FB and Linky Followers.

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  5. What a great post! Thanks for the tips on cooking artichokes. I'll have to try that secret sauce! Thanks for linking up with the Weekend Blog Walk! :) New follower!

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  6. Hi Mary!

    Artichokes are one of those mystery foods. You almost have to have someone tell or show you how to make and eat them the first time. I love them but not when I am really hungry because they require lots of energy for very little in return. Your sauce sounds like a winner!

    Thanks for sharing at my party :)

    xoxo Bunny Jean
    Wednesdays Bunny Hop!

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  7. I've also been meaning to cook artichokes forever. Every time I pass them in the market I think "umm, that's quite an intimidating vegetable!"

    Thanks for the step-by-step. I should give it try!

    I found you at Happy Go Lucky's btw. Will be following.

    - m

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  8. Oh Mary!! I just LOVE artichoke.. but always by it in a can.. But I will buy the fresh stuff now that I see how to prepare them :)

    Thanks so much for sharing this at The DIY Dreamer.. From Dream To Reality! :)

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  9. I just love artichokes! I never had any idea how to fix them so I appreciate this information. I'm impressed that your son wanted to prepare them - and isn't it nice when they call for advice?! Ann

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  10. We love artichokes at our house and they are just as often dinner, along with a salad, as they are an appetizer. I wish they had not gotten so expensive!

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  11. I love them, but have been too chicken to buy them any other way but canned:)

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  12. I love artichokes, and now I know how to fix from fresh instead of using frozen. Thanks for showing us how! So glad you shared your creative inspiration with Sunday’s Best – your creativity helped make the party a success!

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  13. I am so glad you found me! I just love this. A little bit more thorough than my cooking directions lol!! Your post is great. I should add this a link for the preparation on mine!! My mom always prepared artichokes for us. I have made them for my kids since they were little. They are one of favorites too! I'll have to try your sauce next time! The French eat them, when tiny, raw and cold in a salad. I hope some readers go out and try them! Your great tutorial shows how easy it is. Nothing to be scared of!
    Karen

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