Artichokes with ham: traditional recipe

Let's face it, artichokes are a very strange vegetable. Also, if you prepare them fresh they take some work but... oh when you learn how to cook them! What a delight, what flavour, what texture, what versatility, how delicious, how tasty, how healthy... They have it all .

I have to admit that when I was young I wasn't a big fan of them, but now that I'm growing up (not getting older) and acquiring some wisdom, they are one of my favorite vegetables. And today, as I'm feeling generous, I'm going to share my mother's recipe with you. If she saw me eating them now, she wouldn't believe it. She left them for me for breakfast so many times because she didn't want to eat them for dinner...

This traditional recipe combines seasonal produce with the distinctive touch of Iberian ham and, although there are many versions, the traditional recipe will conquer even the most demanding palates. (But if you read everything you will discover an extra bonus in the form of artichoke flowers).

How to prepare artichokes with ham?

To prepare heavenly tasting artichokes with ham, the most important thing is to choose the ingredients well. The secret is to use fresh, quality local products. Go to your trusted fruit shop and get some good artichokes, use Monjamón ham and more and you're done. Don't worry, you don't need to be a professional chef to achieve it! Word of the baby Jesus.

Two essential tips: leave the artichokes cooked to perfection and do not overcook the ham. Add it at the end of cooking with the heat off to preserve all its flavour and texture.

Ingredients and steps for cooking artichokes with ham

For this recipe you will need clean, fresh and good-sized artichokes. Here is the list of ingredients:

• 5 cooked artichokes. Our recommendation is that you make them yourself. Yes, we know it takes work, you have to cut, peel, cook, but the difference is noticeable. However, if you're feeling lazy you can always use canned artichokes already cooked. They're not the same, but they're just fine. Even so, you should know that it only takes 10 minutes to cook them: cook the whole artichokes in plenty of lightly salted boiling water for about 10 minutes. Drain them well and remove the stem and the tougher outer leaves. It's not that difficult, right?
• 100 grams of Monjamón acorn-fed ham. Here you can choose between diced or small slices. To suit the consumer.
• ½ onion finely chopped
• 1 clove of garlic, minced
• 15 ml white wine
• Lemon juice
• Salt and pepper to taste. And if you grind the pepper yourself, you'll be perfect.
• Cooking broth for artichokes. If you have used canned artichokes, you can use the juice in which they are preserved.
• Olive oil (quantity needed)
• Chopped parsley (optional)

Preparation

Once you have the artichokes cooked, you will only need 15 minutes to prepare a miraculous dish for two people.

1. Heat the olive oil in a frying pan . When it is hot, add the chopped onion and garlic. Stir until golden.
2. Add the cooked and halved artichokes . Stir them slowly until they are combined with the other ingredients.
3. After two minutes, add the white wine . When the alcohol has evaporated, add a little of the artichoke cooking broth. Adjust the salt to taste.
4. Add a few drops of freshly squeezed lemon juice and pepper . When the mixture comes to a boil and the broth has reduced considerably, remove from the heat.
5. Serve the dish hot and garnish with finely chopped parsley if desired. Parsley will add freshness and enhance the flavour of the artichokes with ham.
6. Add the chopped ham . Now it's time to add the ham, but remember, don't cook it. Add it at the end of cooking with the heat already off and stir a little to integrate it.

And that's it. It's that easy and delicious. If you're missing ham, our main recommendation is that you buy high-quality acorn-fed Iberian hams . And on this website, better than on any other, without a doubt.

Artichoke flowers with ham

If you want to surprise someone, artichoke flowers are very attractive and very easy to make too. Once they are cooked, cut off the top and open the heart as if it were a flower.

Once you have them, put them in a frying pan and fry them until they are golden. Remove the excess fat with a paper towel and place them on a plate with a little ham on top. No one will be able to resist this dish.