The Artichoke AH-HA Moment

Everyone should have a sister who encourages you to do things you love and plans activities that make you better at it. 

I have tried to figure out the artichoke for years now.  As anyone who knows me knows, I love all food that comes from the ground.  The greener, the uglier and the more nutrious the better.  So the artichoke has been on my radar screen for years.  And I have never gotten it right.  First I didn't know how to cook them.  Then when I figured that out, I didn't know how to eat them.  Well, April 2011 was the Ah-ha moment.  I did both.  And I loved them. 

These photos were from my practice round.  But that's where it ended.  I see no point in turning them into anything else.  They are in season for a short time and they are delicious as is.  I served them with other crudites as well and two dipping sauces.  A lemon and thyme mayonnaise based sauce and a garlic butter.  My guests, The Fischer's ... yes, I had guests this time, were very impressed.

And here are the photos of where my kids ran to hide when I asked if they would try one.

I'm looking forward to next month's challenge.  Exploring new foods is keeping me cooking even with Margot inevitably needing to be held right when it's time to make dinner.  Hopefully she will like cooking as much as I and will join me when she's older.