GRILLED ARTICHOKES WITH GARLIC BUTTER

YIELDS: 4 Servings PREP TIME: 15 mins COOK TIME: 1 hr TOTAL TIME: 1 hr 15 mins 

Raise your hand if you're intimidated by this spiny, curious vegetable. You obviously haven't grilled them yet! Follow along as Chef Jason shows you his technique for preparing and grilling them with ease. The result? Smoky, tender artichokes cooked to perfection in garlic-herb butter.

INGREDIENTS:

2 jumbo artichokes
6 garlic cloves, finely chopped
½ cup (1 stick) butter
1 pinch salt
1 pinch pepper
1 pinch Italian seasoning
1 lemon

Tools
Kitchen shears (very sturdy, very sharp)
Foil 
Baking sheet
Cutting board 
Knife
Fork
Grill 
Microwave-safe liquid measuring cup

DIRECTIONS:

  1. Preheat the grill to 375°F.
  2. Tear off 4 sheets of foil about 18" long.
  3. Using your scissors, carefully cut the pointy tip off each leaf. (TIP: Watch the video for this technique.)
  4. Place the artichoke on a cutting board and cut the very top of it off.
  5. Then cut off the stem.
  6. While holding the artichoke, carefully cut the artichoke in half lengthwise.
  7. Remove the choke (fuzzy stuff in the center) using the tip of your knife.
  8. Carefully remove the purple inner leaves with your fingers and discard them.
  9. Be sure to remove any lingering little fuzzy hairs. (Use your knife to remove these.)
  10. Repeat the process with the remaining artichoke halves.
  11. Rinse the artichoke halves under cool water, making sure to get in and all around the leaves.
  12. Turn over and drain out the water.
  13. Set the halves aside.
  14. Peel and finely chop the garlic and place in the measuring cup.
  15. Cut the butter into chunks and add to the measuring cup.
  16. Microwave the mixture for about 1 minute, or until melted. Stir with a fork to combine.
  17. Place each artichoke half on the center of a piece of foil.
  18. Drizzle about 1/4 of the garlic butter in the center and over the leaves of the artichoke half.
  19. Season with salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning to taste.
  20. Wrap the foil around the artichoke. 
  21. Repeat the process with the remaining halves.
  22. Place the foil packets on the top shelf of the preheated grill.
  23. Cook for 45-60 minutes, depending on the size of the artichokes.
  24. When done, carefully remove the packets from the grill.
  25. Squeeze a bit of fresh lemon juice over each artichoke half. Enjoy as an appetizer or alongside your favorite main dish!