Nancy Fox shares incredible skinny recipes like these artichokes in garlic butter over at her website, Skinny Kitchen. Be sure to stop by and start planning your holiday menu!
These artichokes are amazing. They’re low calorie, low fat, gluten free and high in fiber. Talk about a delicious and different way to makes artichokes. I’ve cut the fat and calories by using a small amount of reduced-fat butter. To make them gluten free, see options in ingredients below. The skinny for one serving: 67 calories, 3 grams of fat, 4 grams of fiber and just ONE Weight Watchers SmartPoints. I bet they’ll become your new favorite way to prepare them!
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 50-60 minutes
Artichokes in Garlic Butter
Ingredients
2 large artichokes (about 1 pound each)
1 tablespoon lemon juice
3 cloves garlic (1 tablespoon), chopped
2 tablespoons reduced-fat butter (for gluten free use Smart Balance Light or I Can’t Believe its Not Butter Light)
Garlic powder
Fresh ground pepper
Instructions
1. 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.
2. Fill a pot with about 3 inches of water. Add lemon juice to the water. Place artichokes in water. Make sure they sit on the bottom. 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.
3. Using a sharp knife, cut each artichoke in half. Using a spoon, remove and discard the fuzzy choke.
4. Melt 1 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick pan over medium heat. Add garlic and saute for 30 seconds, to flavor the butter. Arrange artichoke halves cut-side down in pan. Saute over medium heat for about 5-6 minutes or until lightly browned. Move artichokes around a few times while cooking. Turn over, add 1 tablespoon butter and move around to melt. Continue cooking for about 5 -6 minutes until browned. Turn artichokes over and cook for 1 additional minute.
5. Remove artichokes from heat. Sprinkle with a little pepper and garlic powder, if desired
Serves 4 (each serving, ½ artichoke)
Healthy Benefits
Artichokes are low in calories, with only 68 calories for one medium cooked globe. They are naturally fat-free and 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.
Prep Tips
To save time, there’s no need to snip the sharp tips from the artichoke leaves with scissors, as often advised. Those thorny parts will soften during cooking. They do look better when trimmed so I usually trim them when serving for company.
Artichokes discolor when they come in contact with uncoated aluminum and cast iron. Cook them in a nonstick pot or stainless steel pot.
Weight Watchers SmartPoints 1
Weight Watchers POINTS PLUS 2
Weight Watchers (old points) 1
SKINNY FACTS: for 1 serving (each serving ½ artichoke)
67 calories, 3g fat, 2g sat. fat, 8mg chol, 3g prot, 10g carbs, 4g fiber, 122mg sod, 0g sugar
FACTS: for SmartPoints
28 calories, 2g sat. fat, 0g sugar, 0g protein
Nancy Fox
Nancy Fox is no stranger to the food industry. She founded Mrs. Beasley's, a gift-basket company featuring baskets full of decadent baked goods. It became the "hot" gift to give among the Hollywood community. Nancy later opened 2 low fat restaurants called Nancy’s Healthy Kitchen. Her line of reduced-fat cookies were featured on "Oprah's Favorites" gift show. Continuing her passion for cooking and baking Nancy created a recipe website called Skinny Kitchen. Each week she shares skinny recipes, cooking and kitchen tips, food finds and the healthy benefits of many recipes. There’s also nutritional facts and Weight Watchers POINTS on each recipe.
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