The "A's" Have It

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My three favorite vegetables: artichokes, asparagus, avocados*.

I learned to eat veggies from my Chilean mom, so I tend to eat them the Chilean way: steamed, with lemon juice, olive oil and salt. Some fresh garlic for the asparagus, too. Not the avocados! Those I mash up raw with lemon juice, salt, garlic powder and a bit of white cooking wine. Delicious.

I've heard of people eating artichokes with mayo or some creamy dressing, but that just sounds awful to me. Do you like it that way? I can't get up the nerve to try it.

I made artichokes yesterday for lunch and forgot about them on the stove, so the bottoms caramelized a bit. Oops. I just picked those leaves off, still delicious! I eat the hair and stem, too. The hair is my favorite part, when the artichoke is young and fresh. And swirling the heart and stem around in a little bowl of lemon juice, oil and salt, then biting in? Heaven. I make a meal of just artichokes, and I don't cut them down or make them pretty, I just steam them whole. One of my favorite meals.

* I know it's technically a fruit, whatever.

Comments

Busy Bee Suz said…
I LOVE 'sparegrass; I usually just drizzle olive oil on it and sprinkle a bit of salt and pepper then roast for a few minutes. divine.
I have been eating avocados almost every day...I slice and mix with a bit of salsa and drizzle with lemon juice. Great on a crusty piece of bread or some chips.

I have never made artichokes though. Love using the marinated ones in salad. But would LOVE to try them fresh too.
So, do you take them apart before cooking...or do the whole thing at one time? Let me know..I love trying new stuff.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Ileana said…
I have a recipe for artichoke dip that's out of this world... mayo, Parmesan cheese and zesty Italian dressing mix. Your avocado recipe (with a dash of wine) sounds yummy. I'll have to make it for my parents who love avacados.
Friday, November 05, 2010
Rebecca Foster said…
Suz, I don't take them apart before cooking, I just steam them whole in a big pot. They take about an hour before they're ready to eat. Some people cut the tops off so they're even, but I don't think it's necessary to do that. Hope you enjoy them!
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Tracey Axnick said…
Not a huge artichoke fan, but I really like asparagus, and I freaking LOVE avocados. I think avocados are one of God's BIG masterpieces... right up there with the Grand Canyon, Niagara Falls, etc. A masterpiece for the mouth. When I find someone who doesn't like avocados, I immediately decide they are not to be trusted. :)
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Technodoll said…
Artichokes: yecch, never developed a taste for them (more for you! yey!)

Asparagus = for the win! YUM! with a squirt of lemon juice and a bit of butter, mmm. But oh boy do they ever make my pee smell like satan's hangover breath.

Avocados are DELISH! I love them simply halved (with skin on), pitted and in the indent you pour some balsamic vinegar, eat with a spoon. How refreshing is that? :)
Sunday, November 07, 2010
Rebecca Foster said…
I love all y'alls ideas, I'll have to try them out, thanks!
Sunday, November 07, 2010
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