Instant Pot AIP Artichokes with Lemon Avocado Dip
Artichokes are one of my favorite vegetables. It was something we had regularly when in season as a kid. My mom would make one for each of us, along with a little dish of melted butter. I love them plain just as much as dipped in butter. It wasn't until adulthood that I considered the possibilities of dipping my artichoke into something else. Or, that you could season the water that you cook the artichokes in. You don't have to have an Instant Pot to make these artichokes, but it certainly makes cooking them fast and easy.
By the way, the Avocado Sauce is SO good! After tasting it we were all talking about the different food items that it would be good on. You could use it as a dip for crudité, in place of paleo mayonnaise or a shmear on top of some grilled fish or chicken. So many possibilities.
INSTANT POT ARTICHOKES WITH LEMON DIP (AIP)
INGREDIENTS
- 2 whole artichokes
- Lemon zest
- onions
LEMONY DIP FOR ARTICHOKE
- 1 avocado, ripe
- Juice from 1 lemon
- 3 T. coconut cream
- 1 tsp. sea salt
INSTRUCTIONS
- With a bit of trimming and peeling you can eat most of the artichoke stem, so I always pick the ones with the longest stems.
- Trim the discolored end, then cut off the very lowest leaves and peel the stem.
- This photo shows an artichoke stem before trimming on the right, and after trimming on the left.
- After the stem is trimmed and peeled, cut the artichoke in half through the stem.
- Then use a small sharp knife to make a deep cut under the fuzzy choke.
- Grab the very inside leaves, and pull out, taking the choke with it.
- With practice you can get it out in one or two pulls, and leave as much of the leaves as you can while removing all the choke.
- Put the metal rack in the bottom of the pressure cooker.
- Add 2 cups water turn on sauté function and bring to a boil.
- Add lemon zest and onions to boiling water in the pressure cooker, then put in artichokes, inside facing down. Lock lid and bring to high pressure, cook for 8 minutes.
- Use quick release method to release pressure, then open lid carefully. Test for doneness by pulling out one leaf; it should remove easily and be tender on the end and the stem should pierce easily with a fork.
LEMONY DIP FOR ARTICHOKE
- In the bowl of a food processor add all of the ingredients and puree until smooth and creamy. Serve the artichokes hot or cold with dipping sauce.