I took 5 pictures of artichokes and they all look the same. Forgive me?
Actually, I took more like 20 pictures of artichokes which is surprisingly low for me. Usually I take close to 40 photos per shoot until I’m either 100% positive I got the shot I wanted, or I give in to frustration and call it quits, decide I hate photography and I am going to delete my blog. Sometimes I’m a little dramatic.
And actually, they don’t all look exactly the same. I moved, like, an inch to the right which obviously makes it a completely different photo. Then I just really liked them all, and I couldn’t choose. Usually I show them all to Steve over and over and over until he tells me which one(s) to delete, but he was boycotting. So that’s what you get. Five pictures of artichokes that all look extremely similar.
Grilled artichokes. Uuugghh…you guys. They are THE BEST. I could eat a whole grilled artichoke for dinner and be totally content. They are huge, filling, healthy, and they force you to eat slow and enjoy the experience. They are not an impatient food, which makes it a little strange that I enjoy them so much, because we all know I am an impatient person. They are a process. The cooking part is a piece of cake. Boil, remove the weird hairs (I know…I wish they made hairless artichokes, like pitted dates or hairless cats…), grill, voila! Then you get to take your time. One leaf at a time, until you get to where all the action is–the heart!
Once your artichoke has been cooked, you scrape the inside of each leaf with your teeth, then discard the leaf into a side dish. Repeat with all of the leaves until you get to the heart, then pick that baby up and chow down! If you’ve never tried a whole artichoke, seriously, you must! And the lemon and rosemary?? To die for. A totally impressive meal that is more time consuming to eat than it is to cook!
Ingredients
- 2 large lemons
- 2 large artichokes
- 1 sprig rosemary, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- salt and pepper
Instructions
- Cut off the stems of each artichoke leaving about 1" of stem remaining. Slice off the top quarter of each artichoke to create a flat top. Fill a very large pan or dutch oven with water and juice from one lemon. Add a pinch of salt if desired. Bring water to a boil, and add artichokes. Boil for about 15 minutes, until softened. Remove, and let stand for 5-10 minutes until they have slightly cooled.
- Slice each artichoke in half, and use a spoon to remove the choke (the part in the center just about the heart that looks like little hairs--they will scoop right out). Drizzle each half with 1/2 tbsp olive oil, then zest remaining lemon over the artichokes (I used about a tablespoon of zest). Season with rosemary, and a pinch each of salt and pepper.
- Grill artichokes over medium heat until browned and softened, about 5 minutes per side. Serve immediately.
Notes
Some people wish to trim the spiky leaves on the outside of the artichoke before cooking. You may do this, but I find it to be a waste of time. I find that they soften when cooked, and if they don't I simply discard them after cooking.
Often the first layer or two of the artichoke won't have any of the good stuff. You may with to discard the first several leaves. When you get to the good ones, the "meat" will scrape off easily.
Haha I love how you explained the photos 😉 I think all the photos look great, and, a little bit different from each other.
I LOVE artichokes, they are so yummy! I’ve never had them grilled before.
Hahaha, I totally do the same thing with pictures! Why is it that sometimes you can get the money shot on the first try, where other times it takes hours? These pictures look awesome and I am so in love with artichoke hearts- grilling them is a fantastic idea!
I die for grilled artichokes. DIEEEE !!!!! I am obsessed 🙂 and they’re so very healthy!
I LOVE these pictures, the artichokes look so crazy and wild!
I love grilled artichokes! I haven’t made them in so long. WAY too long. I’m so glad you reminded me to change that because they are truly one of my favorites. And there is no way around changing up the photos – I still think they look amazing!
Ok, how freaking amazing are these?!!!
Great photos of artichoke! And yes all those photos look very different. And yes, an inch makes a big difference in a photo! 🙂 You’re so funny!!!
I have never ever bought an artichoke. I’m inspired!
Haha, the photos do look similar, but they’re all really great photos. I love the colors you used in the background, they really compliment the artichokes, which also look delicious! Great pictures & great recipe.
~Deepshikha
I don’t think the photos look the same at all. I’m very guilty of taking the same shot over and over and posting pictures that all look similar. I have never ever grilled artichokes. Will have to put it on my bucket list because they look fabulous!
These look delicious = I love artichokes!! I think you’ve inspired me to make some next week. 🙂
I’m glad that you haven’t deleted by blog since I just discovered it. 🙂 The grilled artichokes must be delicious.
Great photos and recipe! Never thought of doing rosemary with artichokes, it was so delicious! Thanks for sharing!