I caught the tail end of artichoke season and finally succumbed to buying one of the steeply priced suckers. I guess the flight from California orients the price tag, sending it a little out of my range. But the taste of an artichoke definitely proves worthy of a splurge, at least for one occasion during the season.
A simple steam and lemon oil/butter is really all you need to savor the delightful flavor of an artichoke. Easy.
The steam part is definitely an essential. Unless you’re trying to get down with a tough, pointy thistle, artichokes need more than a little steamy lovin’ to loosen up their juicy goodness. What you decide to pair the leaves with is when you can get creative. As I just mentioned, a lemony oil/butter sauce is always a no-fail solution. But there are tons of other easy-to-prepare sauces that go well with their unique flavor.
The one below was inspired by my roommate who is much more well-educated on how to use Mayonnaise than I am. She has showed me how well the ingredient can be used to create simple-to-make and addicting sauces. Yeah, the whipped white stuff is gross when plain. But add some spice, and voilà. I decided to create a vegan rendition of a curried mayo-sauce she once made, and paired it with the artichokes I bought. Even Vegenaise isn’t the healthiest ingriedient, but when used sparingly to compliment a simply steamed, 60-calorie artichoke, it’s not looking too shabby. A little oil certainly never hurt anyone. (Ask yoga teacher Ana Forrest and she’ll tell you it’ll help keep you body loose.)
My roommate refused to tell me her recipe, but I believe my recreation turned out quite similarly, so now I can share it with the world (ahahaha). The result makes me wish it wasn’t the end of artichoke season. Although, I do believe the sauce would pair perfectly with asparagus…and broccoli…and all the other veggies on their way to my garden.
Artichokes with Creamy Vegan Dipping Sauce
(Serves 4)
-4 artichokes
-1/2 cup Vegenaise
-1 Tbsp. dijon mustard
-2 tsp. Sriracha
-1 small lime, juiced (about 2 1/2 tsp.)
-1/2 Tbsp. curry powder
Place steamer basket in large pot. Fill pot up with water to the lower edge of the steamer basket. Bring to a boil. Steam artichokes 20-30 minutes, or until leaves are tender.
Meanwhile, mix remaining ingredients in a small bowl.
Serve artichokes with dip.
12 Comments
Artichokes with Creamy Vegan Dipping Sauce | CookingPlanet
May 18, 2011 at 6:39 am[…] Artichokes with Creamy Vegan Dipping Sauce […]
Tracey @ I'm Not Superhuman
May 18, 2011 at 3:00 pmAnother one of your recipes I’m filing away! This sounds great.
Medifast Coupons
May 18, 2011 at 3:45 pmNice idea, I can see these artichokes and dip being a really nice appetizer idea. Thanks for the recipe to try.
Hannah (BitterSweet)
May 19, 2011 at 10:42 amAw man, I wish I had seen you post sooner! I just made artichokes the other day and ate them simply with a squeeze of lemon juice- Tasty, but no where near as decadent as this sounds.
Joanna goes vegan
May 22, 2011 at 1:57 pmAbsolutely divine 😀
Erica @ Cult Of Kale
July 17, 2012 at 12:34 amI tried this tonight with my artichokes, but I think the lime and mustard overpowered it a bit for my tastes. It has really got me thinking about different ways to dip artichokes though, I’d like to try a garlicky version sometime and maybe make a tahini-style dip!
Season’s Splendor « Bacon is NOT an Herb
October 16, 2012 at 2:04 pm[…] I got a couple on sale at our local grocery outlet. I quickly steamed them and served them with a Creamy Vegan Dipping Sauce that doubled as a salad dressing. This was delightful recipe I found for one of the warmer days […]
Season’s Splendor | See Jain Run
October 31, 2012 at 11:26 am[…] I got a couple on sale at our local grocery outlet. I quickly steamed them and served them with a Creamy Vegan Dipping Sauce that doubled as a salad dressing. This was delightful recipe I found for one of the warmer days […]
T. Onyx
September 2, 2013 at 3:38 pmThanks for this!!!
Sunny
October 18, 2013 at 10:14 amThis has become a staple for me – for artichokes and as a chip dip on the more unhealthy occasions. I can’t find this pinned on your pinterest board though. If it’s not there yet, would you mind adding it? I need it easy to find on an almost weekly basis 🙂
Thanks!
grace
October 20, 2013 at 7:46 pmJust pinned it for you! This is one of my favorites too, and now the Pinterest spot will remind me to start making it a bit more often.
Misanplas | DIPS PARA ALCAUCILES
October 22, 2016 at 4:42 pm[…] The nourishing gourmet / Food fitness fresh air / Kitchen […]