Welcome spring with this supreme healthy appetizer. It’s simple to prepare boiled artichoke, and it’s well worth the time. I would describe it as the ultimate payoff – leaf after leaf of deliciousness, and finally the tender, melt-in-your-mouth heart.
This Best Boiled Artichoke with Honey Mustard Dip is the perfect veggie to enjoy with the ones you love. Enjoy it with the honey mustard dipping sauce and work your way to the heart. Then, scrape away the chokes and divide the prize in the center!
Best Boiled Artichoke with Honey Mustard Dip
What Is Artichoke?
Artichoke is actually a thistle bud that blooms into a lovely purple flower if allowed to grow. (Look it up, it’s gorgeous!)
The flesh on the inner leaves is tender and flavorful, and it is edible. It’s loaded with nutritional benefits such as fiber, vitamin C, vitamin K, folate, calcium, iron, and potassium.
And the best part of an artichoke is hidden deep inside under a hairy “choke”: the heart.
Beautiful Green Globes
How to Choose the Best Artichokes
When shopping for artichokes, look for heavy sized ones with closed leaves.
Avoid light artichokes with shriveled leaves because they are most likely dried out and old. And there won’t be much flesh for them to enjoy!
Artichokes are also available from March to June and September to October. That means now is the time to enjoy them!
Incredibly Easy! Incredibly Delicious!
The Magic Dip
This homemade honey mustard dressing is like magic. It pairs perfectly with boiled artichokes.
I like it with salads and for dipping veggies whenever I have it on hand, to get a taste of its sweet, tangy, spicy flavor.
If I’m out of greens, I use it as a dipping sauce, dunking sliced bell peppers in it until there’s no more dressing. If you’re trying to eat more vegetables, try this honey mustard dressing recipe. You’ll find yourself tossing salads and snacking on carrot sticks at every turn!
Your Taste Buds Will Start Singing
Frequently Asked Questions
Serve 1 whole artichoke per person as a side dish.
The edible parts of an artichoke are the bottom meaty leaves and the artichoke heart.
The artichoke’s heart contains a fuzzy hair layer known as the “choke,” which is not edible. Scoop out the choke using a spoon.
Finger-Licking Good!
How Do You Eat the Leaves?
When the boiled artichoke is cool enough to handle, pull off the dark green leaves and scrape them along your teeth to remove the softened ‘meat’ of the inner leaf.
Scrape the Outer Leaves on Your Teeth
To the best of my knowledge, this is the only vegetable eaten in this manner. It’s like being a member of a secret club the first time you figure it out!
- Keep the end of the leaf where the thorn was removed in your hand.
- Dip the leaf in the honey mustard dipping sauce.
- Place the leaf between your teeth and gently bite down near the thorn end or where the inside of the leaf has softened.
- Pull the leaf out of your mouth as you bite, leaving the soft artichoke flesh to swallow.
Get Ready to Reach the Heart
After you’ve eaten or removed all of the leaves, you’ll arrive at the choke.
The most delectable part of the artichoke is the heart which is hidden beneath the soft fuzzy center.
To remove it, run a sharp knife in a circular pattern underneath the hairy choke (just beneath it so as not to remove any of the heart).
The heart, the sweetest part of the artichoke, will be beneath. It has a fantastic thick, dense custard-like consistency. Slice it up and enjoy it; it’s worth the work of getting there :).
Dip, Bite, and Enjoy!
Top Tips
In order to prevent the artichoke from turning brown after cutting, place the cut artichoke in lemon water.
Don’t eat the hairy stuff at the bottom (called the choke), and the stem (although I eat it, it’s so good!)
The best way to check for doneness is when a leaf from the middle can be easily pulled away.
Best Way to Eat Artichoke with Honey Mustard Dip
Honey Mustard Artichoke Ingredients
- 3 whole raw artichoke
For the Dipping Sauce
- mayo
- honey
- mustard
- lemon
Steps to Prep
First, wash the artichoke then place them in a large part. Fill with water until pot is ¾ filled, the artichokes do not need to be fully submerged.
Next, place on high heat until water comes to a boil. Make sure to cover the pot with the lid. Lower to medium high heat and boil for 30-35 minutes.
Make the dipping sauce by combining the mayo, mustard, lemon and honey
Remove leaf by leaf, dip into the sauce ,then use your lower teeth to remove the flesh inside each leaf.
Be sure to eat the stem and the inside center heart of the artichoke, removing the white pricks inside of the meaty flesh. It is so good!
Who Doesn’t Love Honey Mustard?
Want More Food Ideas?
- Tastiest Homemade Coleslaw Recipe
- Cheesy Chicken Stuffed Puff Pastry
- Turkish Labne
- Simple Middle Eastern Salad
- Kale Salad With Caramelized Onions
- Perfectly Boiled and Seasoned Potato Balls
- Easy Fresh Guacamole Recipe
- Best Mac & Cheese Recipe
- Perfectly Boiled & Seasoned Broccoli
- Muhammara (Roasted Red Pepper And Walnut Dip)
Best Boiled Artichoke with Honey Mustard Dip
Ingredients
- 3 raw artichokes
for the Honey Mustard Dip
- ¼ cup mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon mustard
- 2 tablespoons lemon
Instructions
- Wash the artichoke then place in a large pot. Fill with water until the pot is ¾ filled; the artichokes do not need to be fully submerged.
- Place on high heat until water comes to a boil. Make sure to cover the pot with the lid. Lower to medium high heat, and boil for 30-35 minutes.
- Make the dipping sauce by combining the mayo, mustard, lemon and honey .
- Remove leaf by leaf, dip into the sauce, then use your lower teeth to remove the flesh inside each leaf
- Be sure to eat the stem and the inside center heart of the artichoke, removing the white pricks inside of the meaty flesh. It is so good.
Notes
Important Tips!
In order to prevent the artichoke from turning brown after cutting, place the cut artichoke in lemon water.
Don’t eat the hairy stuff at the bottom (called the choke), and the stem (although I eat it, it’s so good!).
The best way to check for doneness is when a leaf from the middle can be easily pulled away. 
Stephanie says
I’ve always thought this veggie was hard to cook. You make things easier for us. Thanks Lama. You’re great ❤
Lama says
You are most welcome! I hope you enjoy this tasty snack as much as we do! 🙂
Jen says
Love artichokes! My grandmother used to make them and we always had fun eating them leaf after leaf. Honestly i’ve always thought they are hard to prepare but after reading your blog will def give it a try!!
Lama says
Truly such a fun snack to enjoy especially with the dip! Glad to hear you found it easy to make!