These artichokes with sun-dried tomato dip make an amazing and elegant appetizer, light dinner or the prettiest side dish ever. The sweet-savoury and tangy dip is a healthier alternative to the classical buttery dips and makes the perfect accompaniment to the tender artichoke leaves.
Oh, do you know how long it has been since I bought a whole artichoke? Extremely long! I have to admit I am usually okay with the canned hearts. Because they put only the best parts of the artichokes in the cans and it saves you so much time and pain….but let’s be honest. Canned artichokes are not pretty. And whole artichokes are beautiful! Beautiful, wonderful and so fascinating! These little cactuses are just the most graceful plant ever! So I say sometimes we should appreciate this beauty and spend a little extra time on preparing it. It absolutely worth it!
Artichokes with Sun-Dried Tomato Dip
- Total Time: 40 mins
Ingredients
- 2 artichokes
- 4 sun-dried tomatoes
- 3 lemons, juice
- 1 clove of garlic
- bunch of fresh herbs (I used parsley and basil)
- 4 tbsp olive oil (I used the oil from the tomatoes)
- salt, pepper
Instructions
- Prepare artichokes. Pull off a row of leaves towards the base and cut off the stems. Slice about 2 cm off the tip of the artichokes, then cut off thorned tips of all of the artichoke leaves. Rinse them in cold water.
- Add artichokes to a pot with juice of a lemon and a pinch of salt, then cover with water. Cover the pot with a lid and cook artichokes for about 30 minutes or until they are tender.
- For the dip add tomatoes, juice of 2 lemons, garlic, herbs, olive oil and seasoning to a food processor and blend until smooth.
- Serve artichokes cold or warm with the dip on the side. Enjoy!
Notes
You can also steam or roast your artichokes if you prefer.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Cook Time: 30 mins
- Category: Appetizer
O yes! whole Artichokes are such a treat to make!
Yes! Treat! That was the word I was looking for 😉
Artichokes and dip are the best! Seriously, I could have them with some olive oil and salt and be the happiest person ever. Love that you paired it with sun dried tomato dip- it sounds delish!
Thanks! I love them so much too, I’d eat them everyday (especially if somebody else would prepare them for me) 😀
I have never eaten a whole artichoke like this! Need to get onto this stat!
And I have only eaten whole artichokes this way 😀
I need to try other versions too 😉
You are so right – whole artichokes are gorgeous! And so are your pictures – love them 🙂 Such a wonderful pretty background
Thank you so much!
(The background is a simple blue paper for 30 cent) 😀
Artichokes with the sun dried tomatoe dip?! Such a delicious hearty combo, Evi! I’ve got to confess I use mostly canned artichokes – shame one me:)
Thank you, Ben!
Yes, shame on us, I also mostly use canned artichokes 😉
That sun-dried tomato dip looks heavenly! 😀
Thanks, Sarah!
I adore artichokes, Evi. In fact, I made some of those gorgeous purple and green chokes last week. The sun dried tomato sauce looks divine! And welcome back, you’ve been missed. 🙂
Thank you so much, Linda! ❤️
(Unfortunately I still don’t have internet for the next two weeks – HORRIBLE!!!)
Wow! This dip looks stunningly delish, Evi. Artichokes have such a great flavor. Mmm! Artichokes and sun-dried tomatoes must be a heavenly combo. This dip looks divine.
Thank you, Anu!
The artichokes look beautiful and the dip sounds delicious 😀 I’ve only ever tried artichoke antipasti, never even seen fresh artichokes. I live in a city centre and my local supermarkets are tiny so there’s lots of things that are not easy for me to get hold of 😛
Thanks, Nadia! It was the same here, I have seen whole artichokes extremely rarely and only for super expensive. But nowadays I see them everywhere and I’m so happy 🙂
Wow, that’s beautiful! Lovely combination. I love artichokes, but for some reason always wait for someone else to make them for me… I’ll have to give this a try sometime — looks absolutely delicious and fairly straight forward.
Hahaha, you are not alone, I am also always lazy to make them myself 😀
This has to be the prettiest artichoke dip ever! I saw some artichokes at the market yesterday … think I’ll have to go back today and pick some up. 🙂
Thanks, Kristen! 🙂