Karl’s Steamed Artichokes with Tarragon Caper Butter Sauce

I am making chicken cacciatore and rustic bread for Sunday dinner. I wanted a hot veg to go with these dishes. It has been a while since I made steamed artichokes.

Karl’s Steamed Artichokes with Tarragon Caper Butter Sauce

In the past, I would steam the artichokes in a little lemon juice and make a dipping sauce based on mayonnaise.  Today I decided that I would dust the vegetables with dried tarragon as well as lemon. As a further change, I would also make a tarragon butter dipping sauce to go with it.

Karl’s Steamed Artichokes with Tarragon Caper Butter Sauce

Ingredients

1 lemon
3-4 Artichokes
3 tsp. dried tarragon, separate uses

4-5 Tbs. butter
1 tsp. capers, minced
1 clove garlic, crushed to a paste
Pinch Salt

Directions

1. Trim and halve artichokes. Rub the cut surfaces with the lemon to prevent them from turning brown.

2. Lay the artichokes, cut side up in the steamer, and squeeze some more lemon juice over them.

Tip: Put the lemon rinds in the water under the steamer basket.

3. Dust the vegetables with 2 teaspoons of dried tarragon.

Tip: Crush the leaves between your fingers, so that the herbs coat most of the artichokes.

4. Steam the artichokes, until a knife slides into the thickest part of the cap easily, 15 – 20 minutes.

5. Put the butter, the rest of the tarragon, capers, garlic and salt in a small microwave safe bowl.

6. Micro wave until the butter has melted.

Tip: Keep a close eye on the bowl while you are micrwaving it, so that the butter does not “boil over.”

7. Mix the sauce ingredients well and serve on the side.

Tip: If the sauce has coagulated before dinner, you may need to re-microwave briefly.