Eating A to Z: A is for Artichoke Hearts!

When I asked friends for ideas about new foods to try, one of the suggestions was artichokes.  I have had marinated artichokes in pasta and dips with artichokes.  I was interested in having the kids try the "real" thing.  However, when I was at the store the other day, I saw frozen artichoke hearts.

I figured that less work meant we'd me more likely to actually try them instead of letting them sit in the fridge too long before we got to them.  (Yes, that would be what I did with the eggplants we bought. :-( )

Wednesday night, we tried them.  Dinner was about ready, but we needed a vegetable.  I just popped the back in the microwave--probably not the best way to have the kids enjoy them, but I was tired and wanted to get done.  I sprinkled them with olive oil, salt, pepper, and grated Parmesan.  I asked that each kid try at least one piece.  They looked kind of grey and did not look very appetizing.

Elizabeth and Isaac liked them and wanted more!  Josiah said he liked it, but didn't want any more.  Nathanael was in a mood and spit it back out.  I think Hannah took a little nibble.

We had plenty left, so today for lunch, I decided we would make spinach and artichoke dip, something I have enjoyed before.  This met with a lot more success.  :-)  All of the kids enjoyed it, except maybe Hannah--another mood, and are interested in having artichokes cooked in other things now.  We used this easy Alton Brown recipe
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/alton-brown/hot-spinach-and-artichoke-dip-recipe.html 
substituting fresh spinach for the frozen, Neufchatel cheese for cream cheese, and plain yogurt for the sour cream.  YUM!