Grilled artichoke is a popular dish in the Mediterranean cultures where artichokes are consumed in abundance, with the dish possessing the best smoky flavor when grilled on preheated grill after being quickly boiled in water for a few minutes. Lemon juice, and various herbs and spices are generally used during the preparation of grilled artichokes to attain the best flavor of the dish. The best grilled artichokes are made with baby artichokes, widely available in early summer or late spring.
Process of Grilling Artichokes
Artichokes are first prepared for grilling purpose by trimming their leaves, snipping off their tops and thorny tips. They are then cleaned and sliced while the hairy choke is scooped out. Squeezing lemon juice on them prevents them from getting brown. The artichokes are then boiled in salted water to soften them. Thereafter, the artichokes are grilled on a preheated charcoal or gas grill over medium heat, with cut side placed upwards. The artichokes are then flipped and grilled for another few minutes before being served after sprinkling salt and squeezing lemon juice over top.
Ingredients and Preparation
The simplest grilled artichoke recipe suggests using lemons, artichokes, olive oil, salt, and black pepper as the ingredients. Artichokes are first cut into halves lengthwise after trimming off their tops, and then placed into a mix of lemon juice and water, so as to avoid them from getting brown. Thereafter, the artichokes are cooked in boiling water for a few minutes, brushed with garlic mixture (a mix of lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, pepper, and salt), and then grilled on hot grill until slightly charred, while basting them with garlic mix frequently.
Other ingredients like vinegar, mayonnaise, parsley, thyme, and cheese can also be used in the preparation of grilled artichoke.
Storing
Grilled artichokes can be stored, covered, in refrigerator for around a day.
Serving
Grilled artichokes can be served warm or chilled with dip of choice. Garlic dip and Dijon mustard dip pair well with grilled artichokes, with the former prepared by combining together garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, and seasonings, and the latter being a blend of mayonnaise, Worcestershire sauce, and Dijon mustard.
Nutrition Facts
28 g of grilled artichoke provides around 80 calories obtained from 8 g of fat, 140 mg of sodium, and 1 g of carbohydrate.