If you can get your hands on some beautiful fresh artichokes, I highly recommend picking up a few for a wonderful meal or snack. 

Fresh artichokes with three dipping sauces is a nutritious, simple, meal that we all love.

If you can find fresh artichokes that are huge globes, like the ones pictured below, they can end up being a light and refreshing meal on a hot summer’s night.

Both Brad and I grew up eating artichokes.

I remember the fun of eating them as a child.  Peeling off each leaf and dipping it into a herb sauce my mom made.

I still enjoy the process of eating it leaf by leaf and being rewarded when I finally get to the heart, that big, “meaty” center that is amazing dipped in a tangy sauce. 

When we have them for dinner as a family, it turns into a long and leisurely meal.  We all slow down and enjoy eating them together.  It’s naturally mindful eating. Alas, there is always a sad moment when we are finished.  

If you need to add a little more to your meal, try my Healthy Caesar Salad Recipe, Mor-rockin’ Spiced Salmon or my Shiitake Mushroom Stir Fry with Kelp Noodles.

Here’s a little-known note about the artichoke, one that I am glad no longer persists:

In the 16th century, eating an artichoke was reserved only for men. Women were denied the pleasure because the artichoke was considered an aphrodisiac and was thought to enhance sexual power.”

The Health Benefits of Artichokes:

Besides potentially being an aphrodisiac and enhancing sexual power (who doesn’t want more of that!?!), artichokes have many other health benefits too, such as:

• a cancer inhibitor 
• the leaves are full of antioxidants and phytonutrients (artichoke leaf extract) which make them great at fighting free radicals
• packed with vitamin C and K
• increases the production of bile flow, therefore improving detoxification and digestion
• are high in fibre
• deliver 10 percent of the recommended daily amount of iron

What to look for when buying fresh artichokes?

Look for artichokes that are a vibrant green in color and with the leaves still closed.  You want to see the leaves closed like a flower before it blooms (which is exactly what it is).  This indicates that the artichoke is still fresh and will be delicious.

Another good test for freshness, as with asparagus, is to give the leaves a little squeeze together.  If they make a slight squeaking sound, they are fresh and ready for you to enjoy.

Fresh Artichokes with Three Dipping Sauces

How to cook artichokes:

Bring a big pot of water to a boil.  Add in the artichokes.  You want the artichokes to be at least 1/2 covered in water.  Add in 1 lemon sliced, 1 clove of garlic and 2 teaspoons of salt.

Cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes, (depending on their size), flip once to ensure even cooking.  

The artichokes are done when the outside leaves are easy to peel off.

Drain upside down until cool.

3 Dipping Sauces:

Rich Balsamic Dipping Sauce

In a glass jar, put:

1 heaping teaspoon of Dijon mustard

2 cloves of fresh garlic, zester

1/2 cup of olive oil

1/2 cup balsamic vinegar 

1 teaspoon of freshly ground Celtic sea salt

Fresh ground pepper to taste

Close the lid tightly and shake as hard as you can until the ingredients are emulsified. 

Spicy Garlic Butter Sauce

In a small sauce pot, put:

2 tablespoons of grass-fed butter

1 teaspoon of paprika

20 squirts of Red Hot @frankredhots

1 clove of garlic, zested

pinch of salt and pepper, to taste

1/4 teaspoon of cayenne pepper

Heat the pot over medium-low heat until the butter has melted,  stir vigorously to combine. 

Herb Dipping Sauce

In a glass jar, combine:

1/2 cup of white wine vinegar

1/2-3/4 cup of olive oil

1 large clove of garlic, zested

1 tablespoon of minced pimento

1 teaspoon of chervil, minced

1 teaspoon of tarragon, minced

1 teaspoon of grated onion

1/2 teaspoon of Dijon mustard

1 teaspoon of Celtic sea salt

Fresh black pepper, to taste

Close the lid tightly and shake as hard as you can until the ingredients are emulsified. 

When ready, serve the cooled artichokes with 3 dipping sauces and enjoy a leisurely meal. 

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