- 2 large artichokes
- 4 Tbsp. butter
- 4 Tbsp. olive oil
- 3 cloves garlic, crushed and finely chopped
- salt and pepper to taste
Prepare a mixture of olive oil, butter and garlic in a small bowl. Heat this mixture in the microwave or melt in a skillet and set aside.
Crop about 1 inch off the top of the artichokes and then split them lengthwise. Trim the stem as well. Next, scoop out the furry part of the thistle in the center of the 'choke with a paring knife. Discard the furry part. Trim any small outer leaves from the outer surface of the 'choke.
Brush the artichokes with the melted olive oil, garlic and butter mixture, coating evenly on all sides. Apply salt and pepper to taste and place on a covered grill. Turn every 4 minutes and baste with the remaining olive oil mixture before and after turning. Allow the artichokes to cook for about 20 minutes total, 10 minutes per side, more or less depending on the size of the artichokes. Test the tenderness with a fork before removing from the grill. Prevent flareups by spraying water over the heat source if necessary. The steam will also help the artichokes cook more quickly.
Remove the artichokes from the grill and serve with your favorite dipping sauce. Many people prefer mayonnaise. You may want to consider a blue cheese dip instead. Or, consider serving with hollandaise or béarnaise sauce. If you really want to keep it simple, serve with melted butter.
Enjoy!
- Yields: 4 servings
- Preparation Time: 40 minutes