Artichokes are a food trend that doesn’t seem to see an end in the near future. And why should it? They are delicious little vegetable buds that are packed with nutrition. Not to forget how versatile they are, as you can roast, steam or fry them. Artichokes are traditionally eaten by individual petals, which are dipped in some kind of sauce or butter. But what do you do when you end up with leftovers? Do you know the proper ways of storing and reheating artichokes? Read on to find out how to reheat artichokes.
How to Store Leftover Artichokes
To maximize the shelf life of cooked artichokes, store them in an airtight container or wrap them tightly with a thick plastic wrap or heavy-duty aluminum foil.
Place these in the fridge or freezer within 2 hours of cooking the artichokes.
Properly stored, they will last in the fridge for 3 to 5 days, whereas freezing them will keep them at their best quality for up to a year.
How to Reheat Artichokes
Although the proper timing will depend on the way you first prepared your artichokes and if you have whole artichokes or chopped, the basic methods to reheat artichokes will remain more or less the same.
The Oven Method
The oven is the best way to go to reheat just about anything, and artichokes are no different.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Protect the artichokes by wrapping them in aluminum foil. Drizzle them with olive oil or some water before covering. This will protect the moisture of the artichokes and prevent them from drying out.
- Alternatively, you can spread out the petals on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and cover it tightly with another aluminum foil.
- Place the dish in the oven and allow it to bake for 10 minutes for separate petals and 15 for whole artichokes.
- Check to see if heated thoroughly. If not, let them reheat for an additional 5 minutes.
- Remove from the oven and serve.
The Microwave Method
The microwave is an easy way to go. The results of reheated artichokes won’t be as great as using the oven, but are good enough when you are in a hurry.
- Place the artichokes in a microwave-safe plate or bowl.
- Add about a tablespoon of water to the bowl, or drizzle the artichokes with some olive oil or butter so the artichokes stay juicy and moist.
- Cover the bowl with a plastic wrap.
- Place the dish in the microwave on medium setting.
- Let it reheat for 20 seconds for separate petals, and 60 seconds for whole artichokes.
- Check to see if the artichokes are warm enough. If not, continue reheating in 10-second intervals until they reach the desired temperature.
- Remove from the microwave and serve immediately.
You can also enhance the flavor of the artichokes while reheating if you feel they look a little tired.
Add some flavorful oil or butter, along with some spices and herbs to amp the flavor. Just adding a dash of sea salt or cracked black pepper may also do the trick.