Full of flavour, a great salad for artichoke lovers, like moi! The addition of herbs and abundance of vegetables makes it a hearty sumptuous salad and could easily double-up as a meal paired with crusty bread and some warm soup! Adding roasted peppers and sun dried tomatoes, rather than fresh would certainly take it a notch up. Must try it myself….. Fell free to add your choice of vegetables like asparagus, cucumbers, shredded carrots, olives, sliced fennel, etc.

Artichoke Salad

Marinated Artichoke Salad

Ingredients

• 1 Can artichokes (400 gms), preferably marinated
• 1 can chick-peas (400 gms)
• 1 capsicum (or roasted peppers)
• 1 Onion
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 1 cup lettuce
• 1 tbsp. honey or maple syrup
• Salt to taste (if required)

To marinate the artichokes (if using regular canned artichokes)

• 2 flakes garlic, thinly sliced
• ½ to 1 tsp. red dried chilli flakes
• 1 tsp. dried or 1 tbsp. fresh herbs (thyme, oregano, rosemary)
• 1 tsp. whole peppercorns
• 1 tsp. salt
• ¼ cup lemon juice
• ½ cup olive oil

Method

1. Dain and rinse the artichoke hearts
2. cut each into four and transfer to a jar or dish with a lid. 
3. Put the sliced garlic over the artichokes,
4. followed by the chilli flakes,
5. herbs, whole peppercorns, salt, lemon juice and olive oil. 
6. Cover and shake gently to mix. 
7. Artichokes can be eaten or used in the salad right away or leave to marinate couple of hours.  I left it in the refrigerator overnight.
8. To make the salad – (if using ready marinated artichokes, start from this step)
9. Take a serving dish and add the chick-peas, drained and rinsed.
10. Then add the tomatoes, peppers, lettuce, marinated artichokes, honey or maple syrup, salt if required and onion.
11. Mix well and check seasoning and add some marinade from the artichokes if required. 
12. Toss well and chill before serving. 
13. Makes an excellent starter or appetizer or accompaniment with any main meal.