Artichoke Cakes, the perfect appetizer

Our final culinary school assignment before winter break in 2021 was assembling and pan-frying these delicious artichoke cakes. I enjoy eating artichokes but have never cooked with them. My favorite part has always been eating the leaf tips and tossing the unedible pieces in the trash. Artichokes are so unique.

Recipe & Kitchen Equipment

Yields: 10 cakes

• 8 oz canned artichoke hearts, chopped and drained
• 1 oz onion, small dice
• 1 oz red/green bell pepper, small dice
• 3 tbsp mayonnaise
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tbsp dijon mustard
• ¼ c panko breadcrumbs
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• Canola oil, as needed
  
• Measuring bowls, cups, and spoons
• Mixing bowls/cups/spoons for mise en place ingredients
• Can opener
• Cutting board
• Chef knife
• Fork
• Mixing bowl
• Sauté pan 
• Spatula
• Wooden spoon
• Food scale

Cooking Instructions

1. Sanitize kitchen (sink, countertops, stovetop/oven, cupboard handles, phone, computer).
2. Drain and cut artichokes, and wash and cut onions and bell peppers.
3. Mise en place ingredients.
4. Sweat onions and bell pepper in a sauté pan over moderately high heat. Cool completely.
5. Gently combine artichokes, onions, bell peppers, mayonnaise, egg, dijon mustard, breadcrumbs, and salt and pepper in a mixing bowl.
6. Form into 3 oz patties.
7. Heat oil in a large sauté pan over moderately high heat.
8. Add artichoke cakes and cook until golden on the bottom.
9. Flip and brown the other side.
10. Remove from the pan and season with salt if needed.
11. Serve immediately.

Gut Health Benefits of Artichokes

Great news! Artichokes contain fiber. As I’ve mentioned in numerous blog posts, fiber is vital. It helps keep us full and offers more long-term benefits, like lowering heart disease risk. A half cup of artichokes contains about seven grams of fiber. Therefore, more than one-fourth is recommended for females and one-fifth for males (Miller, 2019).

Moreover, artichokes have the power to strengthen our gut microbiome. Yes! Artichokes are full of inulin, a specific fiber seen as a prebiotic that helps prevent constipation. Inulin also enhances the absorption of minerals like calcium and boosts our immune system.

To our gut!

FS x

References

Miller, M. (2019). 10 Artichoke health benefits you def want to get in on. Retrieved from: https://www.womenshealthmag.com/food/a25951695/artichoke-health-benefits/