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The Artichoke -- That Strange-Looking Vegetable
By Donna Smith
Some people enjoy eating the "meat" of the artichoke leaves with a dipping sauce. The leaves are dipped into a dipping sauce, usually butter, then the meat is scraped off with your teeth. If served this way, preparation is a lot easier. Just trim off the base with a paring knife, then remove the small, lower leaves. Fill a pot with water and add 1 teaspoon of salt and the juice of one lemon. Stand the artichokes up in pot of water. Cover tightly and boil until the base of the artichoke can be easily pierced with a fork; about 40 minutes.
What Can You Do With It?
Artichokes can be stuffed, used in dips, side dishes, main dishes and as appetizers. They also make a great centerpiece. Just fill a pretty bowl with clean, uncooked artichokes for a simple, but elegant, centerpiece. What could be easier? (No trimming required!)
Now you have no excuse not to try out this strange-looking vegetable. When you steer your grocery cart by it next time, stop! Pick one up (they won't bite), and take it home. If you get it home and change your mind, at least throw it in a pretty bowl or basket and use it as a centerpiece -- don't throw it away like grandpa did.