EASY Roasted Artichokes Hearts with Lemon-Garlic Aioli

  

Everyone wants flavor! Especially when cooking green vegetables. But not all vegetables need a lot of jazzing up- at least not these artichoke hearts. They're prepared in one easy step and once you try them you'll agree they deserve a spot on the table all year-round!

Artichokes hearts are roasted in the oven with only salt, pepper, and a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil; and yes, the outcome is amazing!  

Crispy on the outside, tender on the inside with every bite. We love eating them alone like this because they satisfy the salty-savory flavor we crave for from time to time.  But if you have picky eaters in the family (like I do) then I suggest to add a flavorful lemon-garlic aioli dip next to it. Then, these artichoke hearts will become addictive! 

I took packages of frozen artichoke hearts and left them out on the counter to defrost.  Then scattered them onto a roasting pan, gently drizzled some salt and olive oil over them, and roasted for 25 minutes until they were slightly charred, golden brown and crispy.  YUM!

They turn out perfect every time I roast them this way. They make a wonderful appetizer, or even a great snack when you need one.  Simple and quick; requiring no prep work at all.

Where can we get them? You can find artichoke hearts in the freezer section at every supermarket, and when they go on sale?  I double up on them.

I love keeping them in my freezer.  I never know who is coming over; they're so easy to whip up and serve with a glass of wine especially when friends come to hang out.

Then serve them with a flavorful lemon-garlic aioli for added deliciousness!

These artichoke hearts can be served with either aioli dips (recipe for both at the bottom of this post) making them even more fun for the kids to eat.  Both dips have similar flavors but different textures, and are made with fresh, simple ingredients like fresh lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and minced garlic. Either one works very well, offering bold flavors to enhance the chokes.

These artichoke hearts are nutrient "superstar" vegetable to serve your family, offering all the nutrients and vitamins without added calories and fat. They're wonderful to serve as a side dish to compliment almost anything. Serve them alone or as a fun-finger appetizer with a lemon-garlic dip and watch how they'll disappear!

Your family will love these chokes and not even realize there eating something healthy- but don't tell them, or you'll spoil the fun!



EASY Roasted Artichokes Hearts with Lemon-Garlic Aioli

• 2 ( 9-ounce) packages frozen artichoke hearts, defrosted
• 1 to 2 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp. kosher salt
• optional: fresh black pepper, to taste
• olive oil cooking spray

Preheat oven to Roast at 400 degrees.
Lightly spray a large roasting pan with cooking spray.  Spread artichoke hearts in a single layer.  Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and some salt over them.
Place the pan on the center rack in the oven.  Roast for 25 minutes.
Remove and transfer to a serving dish and serve with lemon-garlic dip on the side.

Meanwhile, make the lemon-garlic dip.
Choose one or the other. Both are delicious with these hearts.

Serves 6


 1.   Creamy Lemon-Garlic Dip

• 1/4 cup light mayonnaise
• 1 tsp. minced fresh garlic
• 1 Tbsp. lemon juice 
• 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 2 tsp. extra virgin olive oil

Combine all the ingredients in a small bowl. Transfer to a small dip dish.
Serve dip with warm artichokes hearts.


2.    Lemon-Garlic Olive Oil  Dip

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 tsp. grated lemon zest
• 1 tsp. minced fresh garlic
• 2 tsp. lemon juice
• 1/8 tsp. fresh cracked black pepper
• dash of salt

In a small sauté pan, add all the ingredients and heat over low heat for about 2 to 3 minutes.  Transfer to a small dipping dish.  Place it in the center of the serving platter with warm artichoke hearts and serve immediately.  Best when served warm.