Artichokes great health benefits and recipe ideas

Recipe ideas and easy ways to prepare artichokes

Artichokes offer great health benefits and there are several ways to incorporate them into your every day recipes. Some people shy away from this vegetable due to its intimidating features, but preparing them can be made simple using a few tips.

A medium sized artichoke can provide you with approximately 10 grams of fiber. The U.S Food and Drug Administration stated that artichokes are an “excellent source” of dietary fiber. Other healthy nutrients found in this vegetable are vitamin C, vitamin K, potassium, folate, and magnesium.

When selecting an artichoke, look for one with tightly packed leaves that squeak when squeezed. To prepare an artichoke, first trim the stem so you can stand it up. Next, slice off the top of the artichoke and remove the tough leaves that you find on the outside. Be careful, as some artichokes have thorny tips on the leaves. Just snip these off as you find them.

Here are a few simple ideas and recipe tips to help incorporate artichokes into your daily diet.

Boiling the artichoke: Boiling an artichoke is one of the easiest ways to prepare this vegetable. Place the artichoke in a pot of boiling water for about 30 – 45 minutes. It is ready when you are able to easily pull a leaf off. Serve this with some melted butter and lemon for a wonderful side dish to your meal.

Artichoke Hearts: Artichoke hearts can be found in the canned vegetable isle or in the freezer section of your local grocery store. They make an excellent addition to pasta served with a white sauce, or as one of your toppings on a homemade pizza. Artichokes can also be added to many chicken recipes and pair particularly well with lemon juice and a white wine sauce. Another choice is to buy a jar of marinated artichoke hearts, which add a delicious flavor to a vegetable plate. When planning your next get together, prepare an antipasto plate including marinated artichokes, olives, cured meats and various cheeses. Your guests will rave about this delicious appetizer.

Every Wednesday will be a new article in my “Fruits and Vegetable” series. Each week will feature a different fruit or vegetable. It will discuss the health benefits and offer simple tips and recipe ideas to help you achieve your healthy living goals.

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