By now, fans of the #FoodTok side of TikTok are used to embracing unexpected food trends. Remember when canned fish was everywhere? Or when people turned cottage cheese into ice cream? Well, get ready to be influenced by the food world again, because #FoodTok is so into artichokes right now and you'll be surprised how they use this vegetable.
While you've probably encountered plenty of artichoke spreads throughout your day, you've probably never actually eaten an artichoke, at least the way these creators prepare it. If you're hesitant to add this vegetable to your shopping list, you're not the only one, but #FoodTok will convince you to at least try an artichoke before you judge. "If you've ever been intimidated or confused about how to make artichokes at home, I can help you," says one creator. "Looks like a lot of you haven't tried artichokes before, so let me show you how to eat them," said another.
A quick scroll through the #artichoke tag (which, by the way, has 194.2 million views) and you'll see that this vegetable is more than just a delicious dip ingredient, so if you're ready to experience artichoke goodness for yourself, Here are some recipes worth trying.
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Self-proclaimed foodie @dishingitwithamanda recommends using a pair of kitchen scissors to trim the leaf tips to prepare the vegetables. Then, cook the vegetables in water with half a lemon for at least 30 minutes, or until they are "very tender." You can eat it as is after squeezing out the excess water, or you can "take it to the next level" by slicing the artichoke in half and scooping out the "fuzzy, leafy part" in the middle. Cover both halves with melted butter and fry in the air fryer for 10 minutes, then peel off the leaves and serve with garlic butter.
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@Cafehailee has loved eating stuffed artichokes since she was a kid, and although "preparing artichokes can be a little scary," the TikToker shared that the process is much simpler than it looks.
First, you'll need to cut off the stem, slicing two inches off the top, then trim the "thorny tops of each leaf." Place the artichokes in the lemon water and prepare the filling by mixing the bread crumbs, Pecorino Romano cheese, herbs, garlic, lemon zest and olive oil.
Drain the water from the vegetables and unfold the leaves to get a "mound of filling inside the artichoke." Finally, put them in a pot with olive oil and water, cook over low heat for 45 minutes to an hour, and eat them "piece by piece" until suffocated in the middle.
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User @desertislanddishes enjoys using his teeth to "scrape the fleshy parts off the leaves" when eating artichokes, and never misses the chance to eat the artichoke hearts. If you want to try it yourself, cut off the remaining leaves and dip the hearts in butter, making sure not to eat the fuzzy bits.
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If you're still not convinced, you should at least try frying an artichoke before moving on to the next #FoodTok trend. @Thatdudecancook tells viewers to be "very careful" when making this fried artichoke recipe, unless you don't mind people asking for it a lot.
Melt two and a half tablespoons of butter in a pan, then add two tablespoons of all-purpose flour and mix little by little into two cups of cold milk. While the artichokes are boiling, stir in some cheddar cheese, turmeric powder, salt and black pepper into the flour mixture. Dry the artichokes, dust with flour and dip in beaten eggs and bread crumbs. Fry the artichokes in the frying oil for about two minutes and serve with the sauce of your choice.
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Despite their intimidating appearance, artichokes have many benefits, so don’t be afraid to try them as we enter artichoke season starting in June. Who knows—they might just become your new favorite vegetable.
