How to Cook an Artichoke
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By David Hu
When we were kids, my family would occasionally drive down to Monterey, California, for a day trip to get out of the city. On the drive down we’d pass through Castroville, the self-proclaimed “Artichoke Center of the World.” We’d always make a stop at the Giant Artichoke Restaurant for fried artichoke hearts – a tradition I still follow to this day.
I love artichokes – and not just the fried kind. While many people think of artichokes as a special occasion food, I beg to differ. Artichokes are really low maintenance. All you need are a few prepping tips, less than 5 minutes to get them ready for the pot and about 35 minutes to steam. Use cooked artichokes as an appetizer or a side dish.