Artichoke fail - help me cook artichokes right

[Anonymous]

So I attempted to cook artichokes yesterday for the first time (boiling). I googled around for instructions, but failed miserably. What did I do wrong?

This is what I did:
- cut off top 3/4" and stem
- remove most of the outer leaves, and trim those that were pinchy
- rinse
- boiled in lightly salted water for about 35 minute (this was a softball sized artichoke), until it was easy to stick a fork all the way through (like a potato)
- once cooled, I tried to cut out portions that were edible. But all the leaves were too tough to chew - like corn husk (despite soft to cut/fork)
- the only edible portion was the heart. A measly 1-2 tablespoon worth of food.

Please tell me I can get more out of a large artichoke than 1-2 tablespoons worth of its heart

[Anonymous]

Simple way, get a steamer, cut ends off, wash, put some butter and garlic on top and steam. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Hamilton-Beach-5.5-Quart-Digital-Steamer/43202556

If you boil, depending on the size, it may take 40-60 minutes, same with the steamer. I think you didn't cook it enough or they weren't good artichokes.

[Anonymous]

steam in salted water with a few tablespoons of lemon juice added for 10 minutes. you shouldn't be trying to "chew" the leaves. Pull the leaves through your teeth to remove the meat.

[Anonymous]

Of the leaves, you only have a little bit there that's edible. PUll a leaf out, dip it in vinaigrette, then pull off the bit with your front teeth. I think you probably cooked it just fine.

[Anonymous]

op here, thanks for the replies.

my intent was to use the artichoke (bought at Whole Foods) in a sort of pasta salad. i swear I've eaten artichoke leaves before - am I completely mistaken??

The price per amount of food you get out of an artichoke seems too miniscule for me to have done everything right, even if biting off the leaves (I did try and scrape some "meat" off - it was next to nothing)

[Anonymous]

Hmm, perhaps you need to eat artichokes with an expert first so they can show you what artichoke eating looks like. You aren't supposed to be able to eat the leaves, just the little bit of meat at the bottom of each one. The heart is the only part you can eat in its entirety, minus the fuzzy part. The fun is in the dipping of the leaves in some sauce (or just melted butter). Yes, it's a lot of work for little reward, so you really have to love artichokes! Otherwise just buy frozen or canned hearts for salads and pasta.

[Anonymous]

I think you ate it wrong - not cookies it wrong.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op here, thanks for the replies.

my intent was to use the artichoke (bought at Whole Foods) in a sort of pasta salad. i swear I've eaten artichoke leaves before - am I completely mistaken??

The price per amount of food you get out of an artichoke seems too miniscule for me to have done everything right, even if biting off the leaves (I did try and scrape some "meat" off - it was next to nothing)

You are never going to get that amount of artichoke for a salad in less you use tons of artichokes just in the heart. You are better off using canned for a pasta salad or buying the smaller ones. Either way, you don't get a lot of edible food off of them. They just taste good.

[Anonymous]

I love taking a sip of cold water after eating artichokes. For some reason, the water tastes super sweet to me!

[Anonymous]

OMG OP you can't use artichoke leaves in pasta salad LOL. Buy canned or jarred artichoke hearts for that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OMG OP you can't use artichoke leaves in pasta salad LOL. Buy canned or jarred artichoke hearts for that.

+1. You can never eat artichoke leaves. You only can scrape the flesh off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:op here, thanks for the replies.

my intent was to use the artichoke (bought at Whole Foods) in a sort of pasta salad. i swear I've eaten artichoke leaves before - am I completely mistaken??

The price per amount of food you get out of an artichoke seems too miniscule for me to have done everything right, even if biting off the leaves (I did try and scrape some "meat" off - it was next to nothing)

I agree with others that canned or jarred hearts or quarters are best for any kind of salad. That being said, if you can get your hands on baby artichokes, all but the outermost leaves will be fully edible if you steam them properly.

[Anonymous]

The only way to properly cook an artichoke is with a pressure cooker.

[Anonymous]

I buy baby artichokes. They are a lot easier to prepare.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The only way to properly cook an artichoke is with a pressure cooker.

Preparation wasn't her issue. She prepared them fine. She just attempted to eat them the wrong way, lol.