Cooking Tip

Refresh Limp Artichokes

Artichokes can be as pretty as they are good for you! The "vegetable" that we eat is actually the plant's flower bud. If allowed to flower, the blossoms measure up to seven inches in diameter and are a beautiful violet-blue color. The size of the bud depends upon where it is located on the plant. In any event, once we've got our artichokes prepped for eating, they can become limp, but they're still usable and healthful. Simple refresh them!

• To refresh limp artichokes, simply re-cut the stems, then stand the artichokes in a bowl or glass of cold water and chill. Change the water daily and they will keep for days. This also works with asparagus spears and broccoli.
• Use a stainless steel blade to cut artichokes. A carbon blade will discolor the flesh of the artichoke. Avoid cooking artichokes in aluminum or iron pans. These pans will make your artichokes an unpleasant gray-green color. Avoid serving wine with artichokes.
• Most experts agree that artichokes will ruin the flavor of a wine.