One Hundred and One Mezze: 4. Artichoke Salad

Artichoke is one of these things most people don't know what to do with. You don't know how to start, what is edible and what is not, preparing is awkward and when it is all cleaned and prepared what to do next? This last one is easy, boil it and serve it with butter or mayo or any other sauce like to dip the leaves in. Is that it? There must be another way of eating this thing.

To start, if you don't want the hassle buy it in a jar. Chose a good quality one and pay a bit more. The vegetable take ages to prepare and get flown hundreds of miles. This costs money, so Tesco Valeu 99p tin is definitely rubbish. Don't go there.

I buy mine in a jar not because I can't be asked, but because I prefer the Syrian artichoke to the European variety. Although the same plant, ours is less sour, more flavoursome and more earthy. I am not sure why, may be because of the soil or temperature or whatever... I am no farmer so I don't have a clue.In Syria we only eat the hearts and we throw everything else away, leaves, stem.. the lot. All to the bin!

You can buy Syrian artichoke in London in Damas Gate supermarket in Shepherd's Bush.

Salad is my favourite way of eating artichoke. It really showcase the unique flavour of artichoke. You can eat it as starter, mezze dish or slap a piece of meat of any kind and you got yourself a main dish. I imagine veal scallop with a squeeze of lemon will work very well with this salad.

Here is the recipe:

5-6 Artichoke hearts from jar

Garlic one clove

Half a small Red Onion

Lemon

2-3 Tomatoes

Parsley 3tbs chopped

Olive oil 1-2tbs

Make a dressing with olive oil, lemon juice and crushed garlic.

Wash the artichoke to get rid of the salt. Cut into bite size pieces. finely chop the red onion and chop the tomato. Add the parsley and and the dressing and mix well.