artichokes ? yes please !

Skinny Artichokes With Skinny Garlicky Dip
We can just imagine if you didn’t grow up eating artichokes and you are encountering them for the first time they might appear a little intimidating. But they needn’t be…they’re the best-tasting bud in the thistle family and are very versatile.
The edible parts include a section of the leaves, the heart, and in certain varieties, the stem. From March to May artichokes are plentiful in supermarkets. These nifty powerhouses have 7 grams of fiber, 4.5 grams of protein, 0 fat and 68 calories for a medium-size one. One bite dipped in our fabulous Skinny Garlicky Dip and you’ll know why artichokes have been called "The fruit with a heart of gold."
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40-50 minutes

Ingredients
4 large artichokes
1 lemon
Water
Garlic powder
Fresh ground pepper
Skinny Garlicky Dip, recipe follows

Instructions
Wash artichokes just before using. Make sure to flush out any dirt found between the leaves. Slice off the stem to form a flat base and snap off the tough outer leaves closest to the stem. Trim off about ½ inch of the pointed top. Using scissors, snip off the prickly tips of the outer leaves. Rub all edges with lemon to prevent discoloration.

In a large pot or roaster, fill about 3 inches of water. Place the artichokes in one layer on the bottom. Sprinkle each with garlic powder and pepper.

Bring to a boil, cover, and cook over moderate heat for about 40-50 minutes until a leaf comes off easily. Drain and cool enough to handle.

To remove the center choke, gently spread open the top leaves of each artichoke and using a spoon, remove and discard the fuzzy choke.

Serve warm or cover and refrigerate until ready to use. Serve with our Skinny Garlicky Dip on the side.

Skinny Garlicky Dip
If you love garlic, this is a must-try! This dip is really delicious and can be used in plenty of ways other than a dip. It works great as a salad dressing or drizzled over steamed broccoli and asparagus. Our skinny dip has only 51 calories and 3 grams of fat for two tablespoons. A full-fat recipe, using mayonnaise instead of Nancy’s Skinny Ranch, has about four times the calories, 209, and eight times the fat, 22 grams. It’s so addicting…
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Refrigerator Time: about 1 ½ hours

Ingredients
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
2 tablespoons water
3 tablespoons onions, minced
2 cloves fresh garlic, minced (not from a jar)
2 tablespoons sugar
1 cup of Nancy's Skinny Ranch Dressing

Instructions
In a small saucepan, add the vinegar, water, onions, garlic and sugar. Simmer for six minutes.
Pour mixture into a small bowl and place in the freezer for 15-20 minutes until cool. Set the timer so you don’t forget about it!
Stir in the Nancy’s Skinny Ranch Dressing.
Refrigerate for at least one hour to blend flavors (If you need to use it right away, it’s still delicious).
Skinny Garlicky Dip will keep in fridge for seven days.Makes 1 ¼ cups

Food Fact: The artichoke is the edible flower bud of a thistle-like plant and part of the sunflower family. They’ve been adored for some 2000 years and are a stable in Italian, Spanish, French and California cooking. The artichoke made it’s way to America by French and Italian explorers. Now California produces 100 percent of the U.S. commercial artichoke crop. Most are grown in Castroville, known as ‘The Artichoke Capital of the world.’

Healthy Benefit: Artichokes are low in calories, with only 68 calories for one medium-cooked globe. They are naturally fat-free. They’re also a good source of fiber, potassium and magnesium. Garlic promotes circulation and lowers cholesterol. It also contains sulfur compounds that may prevent cancer growth.
Shopping Tip: Look for artichokes that are deep green and heavy for their size. Store them unwashed in a plastic bag in the fridge for up to four days.

Eating Tip: To eat an artichoke, simply pull off each leaf and draw the base of the leaf through your teeth to scrape off the soft portion. Discard the rest of the leaf. As you work your way toward the center, the leaves become more tender, with larger edible portions, until you reach the choke. If the center choke has not been removed yet, use a spoon to remove and discard the “hairy” choke, then dive into the best part known as the heart.
Skinny Facts for One Artichoke and 2 Tablespoons of Skinny Garlicky Dip: 119 calories, 3g fat, 11.5g protein, 20g carbs, 7g fiber, 245mg sodium, 7g sugar