Microwaving artichokes?

[Laura]

I thought I heard on a coooking show that you can microwave an artichoke instead of steaming them. Of course I wasn't listening closely enough to actually learn how. http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/rolleyes.gif Has anyone ever done this? I am interested if anyone has any suggestions.

[Leanne]

Yup - that's how I do it. I keep it in the grocery bag it somes in, add a little water (maybe a tablespoon or so), twist/tie the end shut. Then microwave on high for 3-5 minutes I think. (don't worry if it's longer or shorter than I said - I just can't remember & usually check a couple of times during the heating.) You'll know it's done when the stem is tender to the touch of a fork.

[Laura]

Oh thank you! That saves a ton of time. Just one other question. I assume by grocery bag you mean some sort of plastic veggie bag right?

[Leanne]

Yes - the plastic veggie bag that you get at the store to put the veggies in. You could use a large ziplock to if you wanted. It's really a laziness factor on my part to keep it in the store bag.

[Beth]

Leanne, you've made it even simpler than I had. I put mine in a covered Corning dish with a little water and lemon. I never would have thought to trust the plastic bag. But then, I could probably melt that bag, especially if the micro/convection thing got switched again.

[DmOrtega]

Good idea. I would never have thought to try this. It definitly pays to check the bb for new ideas.

[Leanne]

The bag's never melted on me - of course now that I say that - it probably will on one of you all!! http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/wink.gif

[ewatkins]

I wrap mine individually in plastic wrap -learned this from The Microwave Gourmet Cookbook. I guess there has been some discussion of whether you should eat food that has been in contact with plastic wrap, but I forget whether it was the kind on a roll, or something else. Anyway, the part of an artichoke that you eat isn't in contact with the plastic, so I think it would be ok.

[lorilei]

I'm no authority, but I would be leary of using the produce bags from the grocery store for microwaving vegetables.

Many of those bags are recycled. Others contain chemicals that can leech into your food when heated...

Does anyone have more information about the safety of microwaving in these bags?

[Leanne]

Originally posted by lorilei:
I'm no authority, but I would be leary of using the produce bags from the grocery store for microwaving vegetables.

Many of those bags are recycled. Others contain chemicals that can leech into your food when heated...

Does anyone have more information about the safety of microwaving in these bags?


I have no idea about the technical safety - but I've done it for years & haven't ever noticed anything. Granted - I don't eat an artichoke this way everyday - maybe 6-7 times a year when they're in season.
To be super-safe - you can do what Beth does - in the corning dish with a lid. Tupperware would work too, I imagine - anything that seals with a little water.