All Natural Annie » artichokes

Simple Recipe with Artichoke Hearts & Pepperoncini

All Natural Annie — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 12:00:36 +0000

I love recipes that are 2 things – simple & delicious! But then again, who doesn’t?! Here’s a recipe that I make very frequently. Feel free to add or take away different vegetables, maybe add some chicken, or whatever fits your hunger and taste buds!

Ingredients:

2 servings of pasta (my favorite for this is capellini)
10-12 marinated artichoke hearts
4-6 pepperoncini (pictured below – this is one of my hands down favorite ingredients! Warning: they are a bit spicy)
2 large cloves of garlic
a green veggie (I would highly suggest a crown of broccoli chopped into small pieces, but you could also throw in a couple handfuls of baby spinach)
olive oil
sea salt & black pepper to taste
optional: a dash of cayenne powder or hot pepper flakes if you like it spicy

Directions:

Cook the pasta
Meanwhile, combine garlic, enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan, and veggies
Add salt & pepper as desired
Saute at a medium heat until broccoli is tender
If pasta is not ready yet, turn down to a low heat and cover while you wait
Add pasta and a tablespoon or so more olive oil
Spice it up with cayenne/hot pepper flakes
Enjoy!

Serves 2

pepperoncini = delicious!

This post is dedicated to my college roommate who continues to eat a can of chickpeas as the central part of her dinner like the “old” days. However, I do give her credit for roasting them now ;) Here’s an easy recipe for you that I know you’ll like!

Artichokes – How to Cook Them!

All Natural Annie — Tue, 16 Mar 2010 11:31:17 +0000

Here are several suggestions for how to cook a whole artichoke (just go to Basic Preparation under Recipes & Such - there’s even a video!)

I usually opt for steaming, using a steamer set like the one pictured below, and I let it cook for at least 45 minutes or until the leaves pull off easily.

So basically, I..

1. Rinse the artichoke under hot water

2. Fill the bottom pot with about 2 inches of water

3. Place the artichoke in the top part

4. Cover and let cook at a medium-high heat for about 40 minutes (or honestly, I don’t time it at all and I just see when the leaves pull off easily)

5. Remove it and let cool for a couple minutes

6. Eat every delicious leaf down the heart, at which point I remove the fuzzy bits and cut off the stem right at the base of the artichoke

*Sometimes I dip the leaves into a little bit of organic butter. Otherwise, you could use another dip of choice or no dip at all!

If you do not own pots like the ones below, you can also simply boil the artichoke (submerge it in cool water with a dash of sea salt, cover, and let it boil until leaves pull off easily). Hope that’s helpful!

Photo Credit: kitchencontraptions.com

Artichokes for Detoxifying & More!

All Natural Annie — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:54:23 +0000

I was reading up on the liver today and some of the foods that are excellent for liver health/detoxification. I’m happy to say that one of my ultimate favorites are on the list - artichokes! These prickly green, flower-like veggies act as blood purifiers and contain both liver-protective and liver-restorative properties. Clinical studies have also proven that they lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. And let’s not leave out that they are great source of fiber, Vitamin C, magnesium, folate, copper, and potassium.

Trying steaming some whole artichokes with dinner tonight or add some marinated artichoke hearts to a salad — your liver will surely thank you! ;)

Photo Credit: maddieaboutfood.wordpress.com