Steamed Artichokes with Lemon Herb Butter
Makes 4 servings
Steamed Artichokes are a favorite! I find them to be rather nostalgic! When I was a child, my dad and I would dip the leaves into a buttery lemon sauce, scrape the leave with our teeth to get the “meat” off and it was always a little messy and delicious and fun!
My family has always been huge butter lovers! The Arnolds literally will have butter at every meal, especially if there was bread. I mean, Grandpa would eat plain white bread slathered with a thick layer of butter!
Unfortunately, in the ’80s and especially the ’90s butter got a Bad Rap! The low-fat craze was all the rage, and honestly, this may have been detrimental to our country as a whole in terms of health, because, believe it or not, our bodies actually need fats! Healthy fats that is!
Butter, yes, can be a healthy fat! Grass-fed cows that produce the milk for the butter, can really give us tons of nutrients and healthy fats that help our bodies function optimally! Time magazine even did an article on this fact with a big stick of butter on the cover! Time magazine is always, right, right?? Lol!
For real, Fats are a macronutrient, which means that along with Protein and Carbohydrates, our bodies need fat to function, and you truly need to consume a balance of fats alongside the other two macros for your particular body! Everybody’s body is different and will have different needs, so how much of each macro you consume varies for you specifically.
You do really need a variety of fats such as adding avocado oil for cooking and extra-virgin olive oil for salad dressing, nuts, salmon, grass-fed meats, pasture-raised poultry, and eggs. All of these contribute to a healthy, well-adapted body to live your life to the fullest!
So, eat your healthy fats and see how much better you feel every day!
2 large artichokes, trimmed
1/4 teaspoon sea salt
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 halved lemon
1 bay leaf
1/4 cup grass-fed unsalted butter
2 cloves garlic, minced and mashed
1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped and mashed capers
2 teaspoons fresh squeezed lemon juice
Add about 1-inch water into the base of an Instant Pot. Add the bay leaf and top with the steamer insert. Rub the artichokes with the lemon half, sprinkle with artichokes with the salt and pepper and then place the lemon half and artichokes into the steamer basket. Close the lid and adjust the vent to the closed position. Using the manual setting, and set to high pressure and set a timer for 10 minutes. Once steam releases remove from instant pot and serve with the butter sauce.
Meanwhile, in a small skillet add butter over medium heat and cook the butter until melted. Add the garlic and stir, cooking until fragrant. Add parsley, capers, and lemon juice, swirling to combine. Pour the mixture into a small bowl and serve with the artichokes.
*Tips for trimming the artichokes: Snap off any browned leaves, then cut off the tip of the artichoke and discard. Using scissors, trim the sharp tips of the artichoke leaves. Using a paring knife, shave off the tough exterior of the stem to reveal the tender center. Then place into the instant pot to cook.
References for Healthy Fats: Make sure to click on their references as well if you’re a nerd and need to know how the articles came up with their conclusions!
https://chriskresser.com/healthy-fats-what-you-need-to-know/
https://appliedsciencenutrition.com/blogs/news/why-fats-are-important-in-your-diet