is it better to roast or boil artichokes

Most cooks think the best way to cook an artichoke is to boil them. But like many boiled vegetables, boiled artichokes lack snap and flavor. Wondering how to cook artichokes? I say the best way is to bake or steam them.

As much as I love them now, I wasn’t a fan of artichokes as a kid. Too spiky, they looked too similar to brussels sprouts (gag), and they seemed like way too much work to get a taste of that tidbit of meat at the base of the leaf.

Today, I proudly proclaim the artichoke as one of my top 5 favorite vegetables. Served with garlicky butter as an appetizer, stuffed with a tangy Thai shrimp salad for a light lunch, or simply studding a pasta or pizza, it makes no difference to me.

Plucking the leaves from the glorious green globe, dipping the leaves in butter, then mayo, and sliding the ends between my teeth to collect the meaty bits, whole cooked artichokes are the perfect finger food. We enjoy them most with a table of friends or family to pick, dip, and eat alongside king crab legs and something sparkly to drink. Who’s ready?

You can boil, bake and grill artichokes, however we consider steaming to be the easiest and tastiest method of cooking them as it results in a good level of moisture. Boiling will also ensure a soft texture however, if you prefer this method.

How to Steam Artichokes

Steamed artichokes offer a cleaner, lighter bite than baked artichokes.

• Trim the artichoke top and tips and discard. Rub the cut edges with lemon.
• Place in a steamer basket or on an iron trivet in pan deep enough to cover tightly with a lid.
• Add enough water to the bottom of the pan to meet the bottom of the artichoke, but not soak in it.
• Add 1 bay leaf, a few whole peppercorns, and 1 smashed clove of garlic.
• Bring to a boil, cover, and reduce to medium. Steam for 30-60 minutes depending on the size of the artichoke.
• NOTE: Do not let the water evaporate from the pan! Monitor the depth of the water frequently and add more water as needed.

How to Eat the Heart of an Artichoke

Let’s get to the heart of the matter: The artichoke heart.

• After you’ve made your way around the outer globe leaves to the softer, inner leaves, pull the flimsy round of leaves away to reveal the thistly topped heart inside.
• Insert your thumbs where the base of the thistle meets the firm round bottom, and shimmy your thumbs between the two, dislodging the thistle as your thumbs turn round the heart.
• Discard the thistle and clean any from the heart.
• Cut the heart into pieces and dunk into butter and dipping sauce as desired.

Preparing Artichokes – Martha Stewart’s Cooking School

FAQ

Why are my artichokes hard after cooking?

Should I soak artichokes before cooking?

How long does it take to boil artichoke heart?

Is steamed artichoke better than boiled?

Although steaming takes about the same amount of time as boiling, it’s not as foolproof. Steaming takes a comfortable second place. The steamed artichoke lost a bit more moisture than the boiled version, which meant there were a few more leathery leaves, and the heart was slightly less plump and creamy.

Are canned artichokes healthy?

Artichoke hearts that are canned in water are a healthy choice. They are nutritious as a source of vitamin C, folate, potassium, magnesium, fiber, and many other vitamins and minerals. The nutrient value of canned artichokes is almost identical to artichoke hearts that are cooked from fresh. They can be added to salads, sauces, dips, or eaten right from the can. Some canned artichokes are high in sodium content. Rinse with cool water before consuming to remove some of the sodium. If your doctor recommends a reduced sodium diet, be careful to read nutrition labels before purchasing canned artichokes.

Can you eat artichokes without boiling?

Chef John’s initial idea was to stuff and roast the artichokes without first boiling or steaming them. But as he found out (and as you can see in the video below), the steaming step is kind of key. Luckily, Chef John’s loss is your gain — because the recipe itself, with the added step of steaming, is a truly tasty way to eat artichokes.

How to cook artichokes?

This is a foolproof recipe on how to cook artichokes: the best way is to boil them so that you get a tender artichoke heart (it doesn’t get dry like baked or roasted artichokes). Compared to other cooking methods, boiling yields consistent results and is easily accessible for most people, without requiring special equipment.