Is it better to steam or boil artichokes?

But my favorite way to cook artichokes, and the easiest way to cook them, is to steam them. I find that boiling artichokes tends to water-log them, but steaming artichokes cooks them with just the right amount of moisture.

How do you tell when a steamed artichoke is done?

Before steaming, lop the stalk off. Some people also add garlic and lemon to the water. You can tell when your artichoke is cooked by nimbly taking off a leaf. If it falls off easily, it’s probably cooked.

How long does it take to cook artichokes?

Place the artichokes base side down in the boiling water, lower heat to simmer and weight the tops of the artichokes with a dish or pot lid that fits into the pot to keep the artichokes submerged. Simmer the artichokes until the base can easily be pierced with a knife point, 20 to 40 minutes.

Can you over steam artichokes?

What happens if you overcook an artichoke or over-steam it? Parts of the artichoke become mushy and lose their texture when you do this. It won’t taste quite right, and the hearts and leaf tips turn soggy rather than having the crunchy texture they ought to have.

Can you overcook steamed artichoke?

Preparing artichokes is quite easy though I have found that many home cooks, even accomplished ones, often overcook them, so that both the delicious tips of the leaves and the hearts are mushy. They shouldn’t be. Some artichokes are tender after being boiled or steamed for 15 minutes; others take quite a bit longer.

How do you steam an artichoke without a basket?

How to Steam Artichokes in the Microwave

1. Put trimmed artichokes in a microwave-proof dish. Add about 1/4 inch of water to the dish and cover with a microwave-proof lid.
2. Microwave on High for 4 minutes. Check for doneness (see above). If they’re not done, continue microwaving for a minute at a time until done.

What happens if you eat too many artichokes?

Artichoke can cause side effects such as gas, upset stomach, and diarrhea. Artichoke might also cause allergic reactions.

Are the hairs on an artichoke poisonous?

The remaining parts of the artichoke, the outer portion of the leaves, the hairy stuff at the bottom (called the choke), and the stem, should never, under any circumstances, be eaten. No parts of the vegetable are poisonous, but attempting to eat an entire artichoke can have serious consequences.

Is it safe to eat raw artichokes?

You can use raw artichoke hearts in all sorts of ways and enjoy the outer leaves raw by removing and eating one leaf at a time, exactly as you would approach eating a steamed or boiled whole artichoke. Artichokes are most commonly enjoyed in their raw form as part of a salad when they aren’t simply consumed alone.