Grilled green artichokes

Artichokes are in season from spring through summer.  I love them, (I’d love anything if it gets dipped in butter!) and I served them to my kids when they were little on my grandmother’s artichoke plates and it was an elegant feast.

I was motivated to write again about artichokes not only because they are in season, but also because I have a new favorite artichoke variation that I just discovered – grilled artichokes.  I wrote about artichokes a year ago so I won’t bore you with the same information except to remind you that a medium artichoke has only 60 calories and when you grill them you don’t need all that melted butter.  Artichokes have no fat, and lots of anti-oxidants, Vitamin C, potassium calcium and iron.  Grilling artichokes gives them a delicious smoky flavor but they must be steamed first because they take a long time to cook.

Here are several variations of grilled artichoke recipes:

basic grilled artichoke recipe adapted from Simply Recipes

2 – 4 artichokes

1 Lemon

1/3-cup olive oil

1 T chopped fresh herbs (rosemary, oregano and thyme)

Salt

Chop herbs and place in a small bowl with the olive oil.  Microwave for 30 seconds and allow herbs to steep in oil while you prepare artichokes for steaming.

Trim and steam the artichokes as you normally would, but cut each in half.  Scoop out the spiny fuzzy chokes and inner artichoke leaves.

Rub lemon juice all over insides and exposed cut areas because they oxidize quickly and will turn brown.

Steam for 20 minutes or until you can easily pull off outer leaves.

Prepare grill for direct high heat.  With a pastry brush, brush the herb infused olive oil all over artichokes.  Sprinkle all over with salt.  Place artichoke halves cut-side down on grill.  Cover and grill for 5 – 10 minutes.

To serve, add lemon wedges, and/or mayonnaise, aioli or remoulade.  Serves 4. 

Grilled artichokes

photo from Simply Recipes

Here is a fabulous You Tube instructional video for grilling artichokes by chef Jason Hill.  He makes it so simple!

Emeril’s Grilled Artichokes with Grilled Lemon Mayonnaise

Grilled Garlic Artichokes from AllRecipes.com

Grilled Artichokes with Sesame Dipping Sauce from Epicurious

Grilled Artichokes with Yogurt-Dill Dipping Sauce from Bon Appetit