A Late Summer Classic
Lemon & Garlic Roasted Artichokes
Ingredients:
4 whole artichokes
2 lemons
4 cloves garlic, minced
3 tablespoons cold-pressed rapeseed oil
Salt and pepper, to taste
Fresh parsley, chopped (for garnish)
Instructions:
Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).
Prepare the artichokes by removing the tough outer leaves, cutting off the top third, and trimming the stem. Use a sharp knife to trim the tips of the remaining leaves.
Fill a large bowl with water and squeeze the juice of 1 lemon into it. Drop the juiced lemon halves into the water to prevent browning.
Working with one artichoke at a time, trim and peel the stem. Cut the artichoke in half lengthwise and use a spoon to scrape out the choke (the hairy part) in the centre. Place the cleaned artichoke halves in the lemon water to prevent oxidation.
In a small bowl, mix the minced garlic, rapeseed oil, juice of the remaining lemon, salt, and pepper.
Drain the artichoke halves and pat them dry. Place them on a lined baking tray, cut side up.
Brush the lemon garlic mixture over the cut sides of the artichokes, making sure to coat them thoroughly.
Cover the artichokes with foil and roast in the preheated oven for about 25-35 minutes, or until they are tender when pierced with a fork.
Remove the foil. Cook the artichokes for an additional 3-5 minutes, or until they are slightly browned on top.
Carefully remove the roasted artichokes from the oven and transfer them to a serving platter.
Garnish with chopped fresh parsley for a burst of colour and flavour.
Serve the Lemon Garlic Roasted Artichokes as an elegant appetiser or side dish. To eat, simply pull off the leaves one by one, dipping the fleshy part into the deliciously flavoured centre.
Enjoy!
You can also serve these roasted artichokes with a dipping sauce such as aioli or melted garlic butter for an extra layer of flavour.