Have you ever tried to prepare a whole artichoke? If not, you should. They’re delicious, surprisingly easy, and a lot of fun to eat – especially for kids. And of course, they’re good for you. All you really need to do is select an artichoke that looks firm and fresh (not many brown spots), rinse it, clip off the ends of any leaves that look sharp, and trim off the stem. Place stem side down in a large pot, fill with a couple of inches of water, and simmer covered for about 45 minutes. If a knife inserted into the choke comes out easily, it’s done. To eat the artichoke, pull off one leaf at a time and, with your teeth, gently eat the soft portion of the leaf. They’re delicious dipped in a little olive oil flavored with garlic.
Still intimidated? Watch this nifty video on how to prepare an artichoke here.