One of my favourite things to do when I go to the markets and vegetable aisles of grocery stores is to pick out a few fruits/veg that I have never tried cooking before and try to do something with them at home. This week's veg was rapini and artichokes.

I sautéd the rapini with hot italian sausage, olive oil and bowtie pasta. Simple and tasty meal.

But the Artichokes were the real delight.

Last night we had some guests over for dinner and I thought it sould be a great time to try cooking the artichokes. I wanted to cook something special since our dinner guests are Sharl's family friends and they just moved down the street from us from South Africa.
The artichokes were a big hit!

They are such a delicate, wonderful and romantic vegetable to eat. You peel each petal layer by layer rub them with lemon and dip them into a mayo-based dip, scraping off the flesh from the petal with your teeth. The petals get softer, and more flavourful the closer you get to the heart. (I also love that this food has a heart!)

Artichokes are so easy to prepare an they will guarantee to wow your guests. Do not be intimidated by them, I promise it's easy.

How to prepare whole artichokes:


1. Wash artichokes, remove the tough bottom layer petals, and cut off the stem close to the base

2. Snip off the throny tops of each petal (1cm) with kitchen siscors working from the outside to the inside.
3. Pour an inch or 2 of water into a pot with a clove of garlic, and some lemon wedges/peel

4. Place a the artichokes in a steamer basket on top of the pot of water.

5. Steam the artichokes for about 45 mins until the petals are tender and pull easily.

6. Serve warm with lemon wedges and a dip of mayo mixed with a few tsp of dijon mustard.



*When you get to the heart of the artichoke, scrape out the thistly part called the "choke" and eat the rest!