Artichoke Baskets With Caper Dip

Total Time: 19 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 9 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 artichokes (about 12 oz each)
• 1/2 cup fat-free mayonnaise
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon capers, or
• 1 small pickle, chopped
• 1 tablespoon caper brine or 1 tablespoon pickle juice

Recipe

• 1 for artichokes - with sharp knife, cut off stems.
• 2 with scissors, snip off prickly tips.
• 3 rinse and shake off water.
• 4 wrap artichokes in plastic wrap and place on microwave safe plate or place in a microwave safe casserole.
• 5 add 1/4 cup water and cover.
• 6 place in microwave and cook on high 5 1/2 to 8 1/2 minutes until lower leaves can be pulled off and base pierces easily with fork.
• 7 rotate and rearrange halfway through cooking.
• 8 let stand 3 - 5 minutes.
• 9 to prepare dip - in small bowl combine mayonnaise, garlic, capers and caper brine.
• 10 to prepare basket - remove 1/4 of one side of artichoke leaves; reserve leaves.
• 11 carefully remove and discard the choke.
• 12 place on small plate.
• 13 fill inside of basket with caper dip and allow some to spill out onto the plate.
• 14 chill until ready to serve.
• 15 if desired serve with reserved artichoke leaves.
• 16 note:.
• 17 if desired, artichokes can be cooked on stove top.
• 18 place trimmed artichokes stem side down in small saucepan just big enough to hold them snugly.
• 19 pour boiling water to a depth of 1 inch, cover and steam 45 minutes over medium heat until done as above.
• 20 with tongs, remove from pot; drain.